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Tract No. 92 

1^ 



The Western Reserve 
Historical Society 

Issued September, 1913 

Part I 

Articles of Incorporation 
Officers — Membership 

Annual Report for 1912-1913 

Part II 

Northern Ohio During the War of 1812, from 
Manuscripts in the Collections of 

The Western Reserve Historical Society 

with introduction by 

ELBERT JAY BENTON, Ph. D. 

Professor of History in the Western Reserve University 



Cleveland, Ohio 
1913 



i — 



Articles of Incorporation 



. Ozlds 



STATE OF OHIO 

These Articles of Incorporation of 

The Western Reserve Historical Society 

Witnesseth, That we, the undersigned, all of whom are citi- 
zens of the State of Ohio, desiring to form a corporation not for 
profit, under the general corporation laws of said State, do hereby 
certify: 

First. The name of said corporation shall be The Western 
Reserve Historical Society. 

Second. Said corporation shall be located and its principal 
business transacted at the City of Cleveland, in Cuyahoga County, 
Ohio. 

Third. The purpose for which said corporation is formed is 
not profit, but is to discover, collect and preserve whatever relates 
to the history, biography, genealogy and antiquities of Ohio and 
the West ; and of the people dwelling therein, including the physical 
history and condition of that State; to maintain a museum and 
library, and to extend knowledge upon the subjects mentioned by 
literary meetings, by publication and by other proper means. 

In Witness Whereof, We have hereunto set our hands, this 
seventh day of March, A. D., 1892. 

Henry C. Ranney, Charles C. Baldwin, 

D. W. Manchester, David C. Baldwin, 

Amos Townsend, Percy W. Rice, 

William Bingham, Jas. D. Cleveland, 

A. T. Brewer. 



•CT 10 1913 



Officers 



3 



THE WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL 

SOCIETY. 

OFFICERS FOR 1912-13. 

President, 
William P, Palmer. 

Fice President and Director, 
Wallace H. Cathcart. 

Honorary Vice Presidents, 

John D. Rockefeller, 

Jacob B. Perkins. 

Secretary, 
Warren S. Hayden. 

Treasurer, 
A. S. Chisholm. 



Trustees, 



Dudley P. Allen 
Elroy M. Avery 
S. P. Baldwin 
C. W. Bingham 
A. T. Brewer 
E. S. Burke, Jr. 
W. H. Cathcart 
Wm. G. Dietz 
James R. Garfield 
C. A. Grasselli 
Webb C. Hayes 
*l. e. holden 
Ralph King 



W. G. Mather 
Price McKinney 
D. Z. Norton 
Wm. p. Palmer 
Douglas Perkins 
Jacob Perkins 
F. F. Prentiss 
H. C. Ranney 
Ambrose Swasey 
Chas. F. Thwing 
J. H. Wade 
S. S. Wilson 



Finance Committee, 

C. W. Bingham W. G. Dietz 

D. P. Allen D. Z. Norton 
S. P. Baldwin F. F. Prentiss 

*Deceased. 



4 Library Staff 

LIBRARY STAFF. 

Wallace H. Cathcart Director 

Grace E. Chappell Director's Secretary 

Annette Persis Ward Librarian 

Alta Blanche Claflin Cataloguer 

Ruth Moulton Tiflfany Assistant 

Mrs. Clara J. Craft Assistant 

Dorothea Gray McCaslin Assistant 

William N. Greaves Custodian 



Membership 



MEMBERSHIP. 

The Society consists of three classes of members. 

(1) Annual or Sustaining members have full privileges, use of 

library, all publications, annual fee is ten dollars. 

(2) Controlling members, who alone have the voting franchise, are 

life members, fee one hundred dollars ( one payment), and 
Patrons, fee five hundred dollars. 

(3) Honorary and corresponding members are chosen by vote of 

the Trustees. 

PATRONS, LIFE AND ANNUAL MEMBERS OF THE 
WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



PATRONS. 



*Perry H. Babcock 
*Charles Candee Baldwin 
*Hon. David Candee Baldwin 

S. P. Baldwin 
*Elbert Irving Baldwin 
*Gen. James Barnett 

Charles W. Bingham 
*Hon. William Bingham 

Mrs. Mary Scranton Bradford 
* Alexander Brown 

Charles F. Brush 

E. S. Burke, Jr. 
*Hon. Stevenson Burke 
*Leonard Case 
*Mrs. Eliza Ann Clarke 
*Mrs. Maria B. Cobb 

J. D. Cox 

H. G. Dalton 
*Dan Parmelee Eells 
*Wm. J. Gordon 

C. A. Grasselli 
*Truman P. Handy 

D. R. Hanna 
H. M. Hanna 

Mrs. Stephen V. Harkness 
Henry R. Hatch 

*Deceased. 



*Hon. John Hay 

Mrs. John Hay 
*Peter M. Hitchcock 

Liberty E. Holden 

James H. Hoyt 
*John Huntington 

H. H. Johnson 

M. B. Johnson 

Oliver G. Kent 

Ralph King 
*Isaac Leisy 

Price McKinney 
*Mrs. Flora Stone Mather 

Samuel Mather 

Wm. G. Mather 

D. Z. Norton 

E. W. Oglebay 
Wm. P. Palmer 

*Hon. Henry B. Payne 

Oliver H. Payne 

Douglas Perkins 
*Hon. Henry B. Perkins 
*Joseph Perkins 

H. S. Pickands 
*James Pickands 
^Alfred A. Pope 



6 



Membership 



F. F. Prentiss 

H. C. Ranney 

R. R. Rhodes 

John D. Rockefeller 
"Charles O. Scott 
*Mrs. Margaretta Stone 

Ambrose Swasey 
*Isaac N. Topliff 
*Hon. Amos Townsend 



*James J. Tracy 
Jeptha Homer Wade 

*John F. Warner 

*Miss Mary A. Warner 
Thomas H. White 
Hon. Wm. J. White 

*Mrs. Mary E. Whittlesey 

*John L. Woods 
George H. Worthington 



LIFE 



*Jarvis M. Adams 

Dudley P. Allen 
*Hon. John W. Allen 

Miss Sarah L. Andrews 
*Peter M. Arthur 

Elroy M. Avery 

Mrs. Brenton U. Babcock 
*Mrs. I.ucy (Mygatt) Backus 
*Dudley Baldwin 
*Hon. John D. Baldwin, 

Worcester, Mass. 
* Norman C. Baldwin 
*Seymour Wesley Baldwin 

Ohio C. Barber 

Levy F. Bauder 
*Hon. Clifton B. Beach 
*Thomas S. Beckwith 

Elbert Jay Benton 
*Lucius V. Bierce 
*Edward Bingham 
*Hon. Jesse P. Bishop 
*Hcnry C. Blossom 
*Wm. J. Boardnian 

C. C. Bolton 

B. F. Bourne 
*E. H. Bourne 

H. Fi. Bourne 
*N. P. Bowler 

Hon. W. W. Boynton 

Mrs. S. A. Bradbury 
*Alvah Bradley 

M. A. Bradley 

Luther A. Brewer. 
Cedar Rapids, J:\. 

* Deceased. 



A. T. Brewer 

Fayette BroM'n 

Harvey H. Brown 
*John R. Buchtel 

A. E. Buell 
"'eUa.s. H. Bulkley 
'^Thomas Burnham, 
Glen Falls, N. Y. 

W. H. Canniff 
^Jonathan F. Card 

Wallace Hugh Cathcart 

W. S. Chamberlain 
*Herman M. Chapin 
*Oscar A. Childs 

A. S. Chisholm 

Mrs. Mary H. Chisholm 
*Wm. Chisholm, Sr. 
*Wm. Chisholm 
*Edward W. Claypole, 

Akron, O. 
*Ahira Cobb 
*John L. Cole 
*Hon. Wm. Collins 
*A. G. Colwell 

Joseph Colwell 
*A. L. Consrer, 
Akron, O. 

Mrs. H. W. Corning 
*Warren H. Corning 

W^ H. Cottingham 
*David N. Cross 
*Stiles H. Curtiss 
*Kirkland K. Cutler, 
Spokane, Wash. 



Membership 



*Wm. M. Darlington, 

Pittsburg 
■*J. H. Devereaux 

W. G. Dietz 

Wilson S. Dodge 
*Lyman C. Draper, 

Madison, Wis. 
*A. M. Dver 

H. P. Eells 

H. C. Ellison 
*Hon. Heman Ely, 

Elyria 
*John Erwin 
*A. W. P'airbanks 
"Wm. Perry Fogg, 
New York City 
*Gen. Manning F. Force, 
Sandusky 

Julius E. French 

H. A. Fuller 
*Samuel Augustus Fuller 

Harry A. Garfield 
*Hon. James A. Garfield 
*Theodatus Garlick 

George A. Garretson 
^Charles E. Gehring 

Charles F. Glasser, 
Florida 
*Charles Gordon 
*Eugene Grasselli 

Miss L. T. Guilford 

Cleveland C. Hale 

Hon. John C. Hale 

Leonard C. Hanna 
*Stephen V. Harkness 
*H. A. Harvey 
*Hon. Rutherford Birchard 

Hayes, Fremont 
*G. E.'Herrick 

Charles G. Hickox 

Miss Laura Hickox 

Frank F. Hickox 

Ralph W. Hickox 
*Addison Hills 
*Col. O. J. Hodge 
* Franklin B. Hough, 



New York City 
Colgate Hoyt, 
New York 
*George Hoyt 

* James M. Hoyt 
*J. L. Hudson 

Mrs. Mary Wood Hunt 
Mrs. Mary L. Huntington 
Miss M. E. IngersoU 
Kent Jarvis, Jr., 
Massillon 
*Henry N. Johnson 
M. M. Jones, 
Utica, N. Y. 
*Mrs. Frederick Judson 
*Myron R. Keith 
*Horace Kelley 
*Thomas M. Kelley 
*Jared Potter Kirtland 

Virgil P. Kline 
*Wm. G. Lane, 

Sandusky 
*Increase A. Lapham 
*Benson G. Lossing, 

New York 
*0. H. Marshall, 

Buffalo 
*Samuel H. Mather 
*Samuel I>. Mather 
^Herbert McBride 
*John Harris McBride 
*Leander McBride 
*Lewis Miller, 
Akron 
William H. Miner, 
Cedar Rapids, la. 
*Hon. James Monroe, 
Oberlin 

* Edmund P. Morgan 
*George W. Morgan 
*Wm. J. Morgan 
*George Mygatt 
*Hon. Eben Newton 
*Hon. Wm. S. C. Otis 
*George W. Pack 



8 



Membership 



James Parmelee 

Charles A. Paine 

Eugene H. Perdue 

Douglas Perkins 

Edwin R. Perkins 

George T. Perkins, 
Akron 

Jacob B. Perkins 

Joseph Perkins 
*L. Lewis Perkins 

William A. Price 
^William H. Price, Jr. 

Frederick W. Putnam, 
Cambridge, Mass. 
*Hon. Rufus P. Ranney 
*Harvey Rice 
*Percy W. Rice 

Frederick P. Root 
*Henry C. Rouse 
"■James F. Ryder 

J. H. Salisbury 

Leonard Schlather 
^Ferdinand Schumacher, 
Akron 

Geo. F. Scofield 

John F. Seiberling, 
Chicago 
*Samuel W. Sessions 

John L. Severance 
* Louis H. Severance 

H. A. Sherwin 

*Deceased. 



Ernest J. Siller 
*Stiles C. Smith 
*Wm. H. Smith, 
Chicago 

Andrew Squire 

Oliver M. Stafford 

Silas M. Stone 
■^Worthy S. Streator 

D. R. Taylor 
*Robert W. Taylor 

Charles F. Thwing 
*John Tod 
■^Hon. Norton S. Townsend 

Lyman H. Tread way 
*H. B. Tuttle 

Washington S. Tyler 
*Randall P. Wade 
*Miss Ann Walworth 
*Miss Sarah Walworth 

W. R. Warner 

Horace P. Weddell 

Rollin C. White 
*Col. Charles Whittlesey 
*George Willey 

E. M. Williams 

*Hon. Samuel E. Williamson 
*Edwin N. Winslow 
*Joseph Worden, 

Willoughby 
Prof. G. Frederick Wright, 

Oberlin 



ANNUAL MEMBERS 



A. A. Augustus 
W. H. Becker 
Wm. Bingham, 2nd 
Chester C. Bolton 
Fred S. Borton 
M. F. Bramley 
C. T. Brooks ' 
Oliver H. Brooks 
T. H. Brooks 
Robt. J. Bulkley 
T. W. Burnhani 



W. C. Caine 
W. P. Champney 
J. C. Chandler ' 
A. H. Clark 
G. W. Crile 
Benedict Crowell 
Loftus Cuddy 
Henry Curtiss 
Wm. E. Cushing 
N. L. Dauby 
J. H. Dempsey 



Membership 



9 



B. Dettelbach 
H. R. Edwards 
Mrs. Wm. Edwards 
T. A. Emmerton 
Paul L. Feiss 
Abram Garfield 
F. H. Gates 
Orlando Hall 
S. P. Halle 
A. F. Harvey 
W. L. Hayes 
H. A. Higgins 
W. B. Hickox 
Lawrence Hitchcock 

A. T. Hopkins 

B. W. Housum 
Elton Hoyt, 2nd 
R. L. Ireland 

F. W. Judd 
John A. Kling 
Bascom Little 
E. S. Loomis 
W. P. Murray 
R. W. Ney 



J. R. Nutt 
H. C. Osborn 
Ed. S. Page 

E. R. Perkins 
Henry F. Pope 
W. H. Quinby 

Mrs. Cornelia M. Rees 

F. B. Richards 
A. E. Robbins 
J. C. Russell 
C. A. Selzer 
E. J. Siller 
Franklin G. Smith 
Samuel Louis Smith 
Abraham Stearn 

A. L. Stone 
E. E. Stone 
S. H. Tolles 
J. W. Walton 
Charles W. Wason 
J. W. Webster 
S. T. Wellman 
E. C. Whittemore 



10 Director's Report 



DIRECTOR'S REPORT. 

Gentlemen : — 

My term of office as President of the Society ex- 
tended up to January of this year at which time I was 
elected to the newly created position of "\'^ice President 
and Director." This report will cover therefore as far 
as the work of Director is concerned, only the last four 
months, but a full report will be given of the work of 
the Society and of its collections during the year just 
closed. 

As your President for a period of six years, and 
earlier as Secretary of the Society for a period of thir- 
teen years, I have constantly felt the need of having 
someone to devote his whole time to the Society's work, 
one who would be not only interested but willing to 
make the necessary personal sacrifices in order to place 
the Society actively before the eyes of the public, not 
only here, but before all those interested in the fields of 
research which our organization is intended to cover, lit- 
tle thinking the time would ever come when I could per- 
sonally devote all my time to the work. Last January 
when you made it possible for me to do this I can assure 
you it was with a deep sense of the responsibilities rest- 
ing upon me that I took up the work, realizing that it 
meant constant, active pushing, unlimited by any set 
working hours in order to get our work carefully organ- 
ized and all our activities well rounded out. 

In the four months passed much has been accom- 
plished but still it looks so very small when one sees on 
all sides so much to be done, not only in the cataloguing 
and caring for the material we now have, but the filling 



Director's Report 11 

in of gaps and the gathering and preserving of material 
that is constantly in danger of being destroyed. No 
one will be able to compute the amount of valuable ma- 
terial destroyed in the late flood in this State. In my 
collecting of the last few years I can recall a number 
of places, where I obtained valuable items, which during 
the flood have been completely submerged in water and 
mud, and their contents lost to the world. How many 
similar places have been destroyed where owing to lim- 
ited time from an active business and from lack of 
means I could not visit, no one can estimate, yet we are 
thankful for what we have. 

May I here express my personal feelings of appre- 
ciation for the deep interest our President, Mr. Wm. P. 
Palmer, has shown in the work, and the cordial assist- 
ance he has always been ready to give, even during the 
hours when the immense business activities over which he 
presides, have claimed so much of his strength and atten- 
tion. Deeply interested in all matters pertaining to 
history and historical research as I have always found 
him, it has been a positive delight to feel we have such 
a leader, yet as we speak of our gains in personal indi- 
vidual strength a sense of sadness comes over me as I 
think back over the years I have been connected with 
the Society, of our losses in the ranks of those who 
have stood by the work from year to year. During the 
year just closed we lost, on March 22d, 1913, one, who, 
for the last nine years held the office of Vice President, 
still earlier that of Trustee, and almost from the begin- 
ning of our organization was actively interested. I re- 
fer to the Honorable David Candee Baldwin of Elyria, 
a brother of our lamented President, Judge C. C. Bald- 
win. Mr. Baldwin was born in Elyria, Sept. 28, 1836, 



12 Director's Report 

and was the son of Seymour W. Baldwin and Mary 
Candee. His early education was received in the schools 
of Elyria and later in the East. On his return to Elyria 
he entered the firm of his father's, known as Baldwin- 
Laundon & Nelson, which firm was reorganized in 1872 
as the firm of D. C. Baldwin & Co. Mr. Baldwin served 
as a Lieutenant in an Ohio regiment in the hundred 
days' service. Later he served his district as a mem- 
ber of the Ohio Legislature. Like his brother, he was 
an ardent archaeologist and the collections of oui' So- 
ciety are rich in the items which were gathered as a re- 
sult of his untiring zeal and at great personal expense, 
but it was not only in the matter of collections that he 
was generous to this organization for he was also a very 
liberal donor to our building fund and for a number of 
years to the regular expenses of the Society. I wish 
carefully prepared biographical sketches of Mr. Bald- 
win and a number of others who have passed away dur- 
ing the last few years, might be made and issued as a 
volume of obituaries. 

On May 18, 1912, Mr. Albion Morris Dyer, who 
was a life member of the Society and held the position 
of Curator from 1907, was taken away after a sickness 
of some weeks. It was with deep regret that I was 
away at the time. Mr. Dyer was deeply interested in 
the work of the Society and as far as his strength would 
permit, he gave freely and gratuitously of his time to the 
work. A more fitting tribute than I can give in space 
allotted in an annual report, should be given to these 
men whose hearts' interest rested in this Society and 
who have contributed much to its success. 

Another one of our prominent Western Reserve 
men passed away March 23d, 1913, almost at the same 



Director's Report 13 

time as the death of Mr. Baldwin, namely, Mr. Wm. N. 
Gates of Elyria. Mr. Gates only a few days before his 
sudden death had talked over the prospects of our work, 
manifesting great interest in it and promising to take 
hold and help push it. Mr. Gates was most prominent 
in the affairs of Elyria and foremost in all public spirit- 
ed movements. He was born Oct. 17, 1857. His fath- 
er was Nahum Gates, an early pioneer of Elyria. 

Trips. 

During the four months of my directorship, only 
two or three trips have been made in an effort to in- 
crease our collections, although these must be followed 
up carefully in the future. Active preparations, how- 
ever, must be made in each case before the trip. Lists 
must be made of items that we are short of and that we 
are likely to run across on these excursions. The first trip 
was made through Columbus, Granville and Newark. 
This trip brought a good mass of material pertaining 
to Ohio and largely to our Ohio colleges. The other, a 
longer trip, covering some eight or ten days, embraced 
Richmond, Va., Washington, D. C, Frankfort and 
Louisville, Ky., and Cincinnati. This trip I consider 
one of the most profitable to the Society that I ever 
made. By appointment I met our President, Mr. Palm- 
er, in Richmond, where we spent one day together, 
he being compelled to return to Hot Springs that even- 
ing, I remaining until the next afternoon. We visited 
in person the Virginia Historical Society, the Confeder- 
ate Museum, the State Library and the Valentine Mu- 
seum. At each of the first three we established an ex- 
change basis for all publications. The ladies in charge 
of the Confederate Museum have sent us a complete 
set of their annual proceedings. Dr. Mcllwaine of the 



14 Director's Report 

State Library of Virginia has presented us with a set 
of the valuable reprint of the journals of the House of 
Burgesses of Virginia. This magnificent work not yet 
completed, is being published at $10.00 per volume. 
Ten volumes are read)^ and have been received. Also 
from the same source a file of their pubhcations and a 
number of books from their duplicates, were received 
on exchange. JMr. Stannard of the Virginia Historical 
Society has placed, as a result of this visit, our name on 
their exchange list and we will get the balance of their 
valuable collections. The visit, we feel not only for the 
present but for the future, will be of the greatest value 
to the Society. From Richmond I went to Washing- 
ton, spending several days in the Library of Congress. 
You recall possibly, that at the last meeting of our So- 
ciety, I mentioned getting a file of the National Intelli- 
gencer. This file had not been collated at the time of 
receipt, but I was told when it came, that the Library 
of Congress had some duplicates which could be ob- 
tained. In the first place, the file had to be collated 
which was a long, tiresome job as it covered in the tri- 
weekly edition years 1800 to 1852 and the daily edition 
from 1813 to 1870. When this was done I found we 
lacked about 2500 numbers. By working steadily three 
days in the Library of Congress I was able to get nearly 
every number excepting the part of one year possibly, 
giving us a most valuable file covering the history of our 
country from 1800 through three important war periods 
with the stirring and interesting events before and after 
each of these periods and it being of still greater interest 
since it was published at the seat of our National Gov- 
ernment and was recognized for years as the official 
organ of the Government. In addition to this, the Li- 
brary of Congress, through the courtesy of Mr. Put- 



Director's Report 15 

nam, the Librarian, has sent us 21 volumes of the re- 
print, of the original manuscript volumes of the journals 
of Congress which are in their collection. The balance 
will follow as issued. A number of rare items on George 
Washington, as well as a large number of other valuable 
items, making a total of 270 volumes, 498 jiamphlets, 
and over 2000 numbers of newspapers were obtained at 
this time. A visit was also made to the War Depart- 
ment, to the Superintendent of Documents, and to the 
State Department. We have received a number of 
valuable items on the Civil War period and also of the 
early congresses from these sources. At Frankfort vis- 
its were made to the State Library and while there, ar- 
rangements were made for the exchange of duplicates. 
Also I visited the Kentuckv Historical Societv, but 
failed to see the ladies in charge. From Frankfort we 
have received a gift of some 25 or 30 volumes of the 
Civil War reports of Adjutant Generals from the dif- 
ferent states, also rosters of the Kentucky soldiers in 
the Mexican War, War of 1812 and Civil War. 

National and State Documents. 

Many valuable Ohio documents have been added 
during the year to our already large collection. A 
bound volume of documents of Ohio for 1834 and '3.5 
was picked up by your director on one of his trips which 
is the only one for those years that he knows of being 
in existence. As a matter of fact any Ohio documents 
back of 1836 are very desirable for our collection. In 
our file of United States documents, known as the 
"Sheep Set," covering the publications from the begin- 
ning of the 15th Congress down, we lack some 15 num- 
bers only, giving us perhaps as complete a collection 



16 Director's Report 

as will be found in any library outside of the Library of 
Congress. 

Of the original documents of the first 14 Congress- 
es we are adding to our collection from time to time. 

Publications. 

During the year the librarian has prepared a little 
brochure on Conmiodore Perry which has been received 
very favorably. There has also been issued a series of 
four post-cards commemorating the battle of Lake 
Erie. Copies of the brochure were mailed to all the 
Trustees and Members of the Society. 

With a deep realization that if the work of and 
interest in the Society are to be maintained we must 
resume active publication. Accordingly, arrangements 
have been made to issue as near as possible to Sept. 1st, 
a publication on the war of 1812 from the original mate- 
rial in our possession. Prof. E. J. Benton of the Wes- 
tern Reserve University has kindly consented to edit this 
for us. About Jan. 1st, next, the committee on publi- 
cation hopes to issue a second tract. By means of these 
we hope to establish exchanges for future publications 
with a number of our learned Societies, and to repay in 
some part, valuable gifts already received from many. 

Needs. 

A word as to our needs. I will only mention a few 
of the ones most pressing. Outside of that of a perm- 
anent endowment, the one that is hampering our work 
more than any other is, the want of new stacks for shelv- 
ing our books. This can be overcome temporarily by 
flooring over the "well hole" on the third floor and erect- 
ing stacks there. Still more room may be gained by 



Director's Report 17 

removing the seats on the third floor and stacking that 
space. Something must be done to accommodate our 
collection, but will you excuse me if I speak plainly on 
this subject? I used the word a moment ago "tempor- 
arily" and I would like to underscore this word. Our 
building, as often the remark has been made, was built 
without due consideration for the growth and future of 
this work. It was built more with the idea of accom- 
modating our museum with a small collection of books 
than with an idea of making it a library worthy to be 
classed with the other historical Libraries of this coun- 
try. The whole present condition handicaps greatly 
the work of the library. If this collection is to be made 
valuable as reference material, we must provide suitable 
place for workers with convenient surroundings. The 
only place we have at present for those consulting the 
library to work, is a small table in the genealogical room. 
This, I have often seen so crowded with workers that 
they are constantly in each other's way. It should be 
so arranged that the building, as far as the library is 
concerned, might be open some evenings, as many who 
would consult it can not do it day times. It would also 
be greatly appreciated by the public, if the museum 
could be open Sunday afternoon. This could be ar- 
ranged better if the entire building and collection of 
books were not exposed at the same time. 

Increasing Our Collections. 

It is true we have been very fortunate in picking 
up much valuable material of late without a great out- 
lay of expense. This can be continued to some extent. 
We hope to perfect arrangements so that we may ex- 
change our duplicates for other books needed, but there 



18 Director's Report 

yet remains the need of a fund for purchasing items 
that can not be procured for our library by the above 
channels. I have checked up very carefully Thomp- 
son's bibliography of Ohio and have a list of items lack- 
ing in our library. These should be obtained in what- 
ever way possible. If the members of our Board and 
Society who are amply able, would take up some one 
particular line of collecting for the library, which could 
be placed as a collection in the name of the one giving, 
it would not only aid us greatly but also give the one col- 
lecting, a great deal of pleasure and they would soon 
become deeply interested in the work. I have in mind 
now, a most interesting collection to follow up, and 
that is, the works of Jonathan Carver, in the various edi- 
tions in which they have been published, I believe some 
30 odd editions are known. No one library has a com- 
plete set of them. 

This would be an extremely interesting and valu- 
able collection to form. We have already some notable 
collections that have been brought together in this way, 
such as the King collection on Costumes, the White 
collection on Arctic Exploration, and the unequalled 
collection of Mr. Palmer, our President, on the Civil 
War and others that I might mention. A great need is 
constantly felt for new books in our genealogical depart- 
ment. What better way of perpetuating one's name, 
than to form a collection along this line? I would like 
to see someone interested in Massachusetts, Connecticut, 
and other eastern states. Virginia, Kentucky, and other 
states of the south. Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and 
Michigan, the states outside of Ohio in the old North- 
west. Each state having some one interested in increas- 
ing the collections pertaining to its history. There is a 
crying need for a patron for the war of 1812 items, also 



Director's Report 19 

one for the Mexican war and the Revolutionary war. 
Another need and a very pressing one is that of binding. 
We have quantities of serials that are being injured 
in handling, which should be bound. Our newspapers as 
they are completed from year to year, should go at once 
to the bindery before any are destroyed or lost. If we 
should get a new addition to our building, it would be 
well to provide a room for binding, mounting, and 
mending. 

There is a chance for all to take hold of the work. 
Those who are not able to take the larger items, can 
take something smaller, and each year feel that they are 
helping to round out our collection and make our So- 
ciety the mecca for students from all over the country. 
Is it not worth while to place this, the sixth city, 
in the foremost ranks of the country, not only 
in its business relations, but for those things that 
stand for the broadest culture? There have been 
vast steps taken in the progress of the Historical So- 
cieties of the country within the last few years. New 
York, Boston, Worcester, Chicago, St. Louis, Phila- 
delphia, all have magnificent, large commodious struc- 
tures and all mentioned have ample endowments. St. 
Louis has just erected a $500,000 building for its his- 
torical collections. Worcester has a new building, and 
an endowment of some $350,000. New York has an 
endowment, a recent gift of $250,000 increasing it to 
ample size. I have only mentioned a few of the socie- 
ties. There are others. Should not Cleveland with a 
collection in its line, worthy of comparison with any in 
the country, see that the work is not hampered by lack 
of funds and interest? 



20 Director's Report 

Library. 

The work of the Reference Department and that of 
the cataloguing have been more closely allied, than they 
would be if the cataloguing was up to date. We have an 
effective organization of willing workers, all deeply in- 
terested in the work of the Society, Miss Ward, being 
at the head of the reorganization and Miss Claflin at 
the head of the cataloguing. The statistics for the li- 
brary and the catalogue work are drawn from the 
monthly and yearly reports to the director from the 
heads of these departments of the work accomplished 
under their supervision. Miss Tiffany has been a val- 
uable assistant to both departments and has been doing 
some special bibliographical w^ork on her own time in 
connection with the White collection of arctic hookas, 
which is hoped we will be able to use in published form 
some time in the near future. It would be of special 
value if a small series of booklets covering some of our 
more distinct collections could be issued from time to 
time. The accession books of the Society as near as 
we can estimate at the present time represent a total 
number of bound volumes and newspapers in the library 
as 31,760. The statistics for the general library for the 
year stand as follows: 

Building open 306 days 

Donations from 347 sources 

Number of volumes accessioned 1,720 

Number of pamphlets accessioned 2,250 

Number of manuscripts accessioned 16 

Bound volumes withdrawn 467 

Pamphlets withdrawn 5Q 

Last number bound volumes accessioned 31,760 

Last number pamphlets accessioned 6,700 

Last number manuscripts accessioned 76 

Number duplicates compared and certified 4.918 



Director's Report 21 

Total duplicates certified to date 6 257 

Number Gaylord binders put on 2,579 

Total number binders put on 5,299 

Accession Records from Accession Books Numerically by Sources. 
Deposit Exchange Gift Purchase Unknown 
Bound volumes 14 259 1034 57 356 

Pamphlets ... I 52 723 16 1457 

Manuscripts . . 1 9 6 

Totals for the year — Bound volumes 1720 

Pamphlets 2250 

Manuscripts 16 

The special reference work in the past year has 
been done in connection with the Anniversary of the 
War of 1812 and the coming Perry Centennial Celebra- 
tion. Much of the material on the war of 1812 has 
been gathered together in a case by itself and free ac- 
cess to it has been offered the citizens of Cleveland. 
Many letters have been written and several exchanges 
have resulted. 

Cataloguing Department. 

Statistics for the year ending Apr. 30, 1913. 

Total for one year. 

Total number titles catalogues May 1, 1912— Apr. 30, 1913 Total Apr. 30, 1913 

9209 
Bound volumes catalogued (Library Congress 

printed cards) 1649 6183 

Bound volumes catalogued (not L. C. Titles) . . 622 2377 

Total bound volumes catalogued 2271 8560 

Pamphlets catalogued (L. C. Titles) 639 2091 

Pamphlets catalogued (not L. C. Titles) 757 2267 

Total pamphlets catalogued 1396 4358 

Manuscript volumes catalogued 5 

Total books, pamphlets, manuscripts 3667 12923 

Cards prepared for catalog (L. C. printed)... 5959 23509 

Cards prepared for catalog (typewritten) 5743 16413 

Total cards prepared for catalog 11702 39922 

Extra author cards sent to Clev. Pub. Lib. 

Cleveland Public Library cards (L. C.) 1214 4891 

Cleveland Public Library cards (typewritten) . . 1000 3329 

Total Cleveland Public Library cards 2214 8220 

Whole number of "Reserve" volumes and pamphlets to date, 723 



22 



Director's Report 



Newspapers Received Regularly. 



Akron Times 

Akron Beacon Journal 

Andover Citizen 

Barberton Leader 

Barberton News 

Bellevue Gazette 

Berlin Call 

Catholic Universe 

Chagrin Falls Exponent 

Chicago (O) Times 

Cleveland Plain Dealer 

Cleveland Enterprise 

Cleveland Leader 

Cleveland Citizen 

Cleveland Federationist 

Cleveland Socialist 
Cleveland News 
Cleveland Press 

(Cleveland) Solidarity 

Cuyahoga Falls Reporter 

Cleveland Town Topics 

Collinwood Citizen 

Democratic Standard (Ashta- 
bula) 

Die Neue Heimat (Cleveland) 

Elyria Telegram 

Garrettsville Journal 

Geauga County Record 
(Chardon) 

Geauga Republican (Chardon) 

Granville Times 

The Gazette 

Geauga Leader (Burton) 

Geneva Free Press Times 

Gospel Herald 

Home Weekly (Xenia) 

Hudson Independent 



Hubbard Enterprise 

Huron County News (Nor- 

walk) 
Independent (Willoughby) 
Independent Press (Wakeman) 
Jefferson Gazette 
Jewish Review and Observer 
Jewish Independent 
Journal and Messenger (Cin- 
cinnati) 
Kent Courier 
La Voce del Popolo Italian© 

(Cleveland) 
Medina Co. Gazette 
Monroeville Spectator 
News Letter (Orwell) 
Norwalk Experiment 
Oberlin News 
Painesville Telegraph 
Portage County Democrat 
Ravenna Republican 
Sandusky Register 
Sebring Times 
Solidarity 

Sandusky Star-Journal 
Seville Weekly Times 
Warren Daily Tribune 
Western Reserve Chronicle 

(Warren) 
Western Reserve Times 

(Middlefield) 
Waechter Und Anzeiger 
Wadsworth Banner Press 
Wellington Enterprise 
Western Reserve Democrat 

(Warren) 
Youngstown Vindicator 



Tentative list of magazines currently received in the Western 
Reserve Historical Society Library. 

This list does not include annuals or government documents. 

American antiquarian and Oriental journal. 
American antiquarian society. Proceedings. 
American historical review. 
American political science review. 



Director's Report 23 

American searchlight. 

American society for judicial settlement of international dis- 
putes. Judicial settlement of international disputes. 

Annals of Iowa. 

Association for international conciliation. American branch. 
International conciliation. 

Association for international conciliation. American branch. 
Monthly bulletin. 

Barometer. 

Boston public library bulletin. 

Case tech. 

Chrestinul. 

Church life. 

Cleveland athletic club journal. 

Cleveland Elks journal. 

Cleveland engineering society. Journal. 

Cleveland medical journal. 

Cleveland motorist. 

Cleveland. Public library. Open shelf. 

Cleveland Sundav school megaphone. 

Cleveland town topics. 

Cincinnati. University. Record. 

Colorado. University. Studies. 

Daughters of the American revolution magazine. 

Devon and Cornwall record society. 

Dial. 

Epworth outlook. 

Essex institute. Historical collections. 

Federated churches of Cleveland. 
Financial review. 

Harper's monthly magazine. 

Hartford seminary record. 

Harvard graduates' magazine. 

Historical and philosophical society of Ohio. Quarterly. 

Humane society bulletin. Cleveland. 

Illinois. University. Studies in the social sciences. 
Illinois state historical society. Journal. 

Jewish orphan asylum magazine. 

Lake Erie record. 
Library journal. 

Missouri historical review. 



24 Director's Report 

Nation. 

New England historical and genealogical register. 
New York genealogical and biographical record. 
New York (City). Public library. Bulletin. 
North Carolina. University. James Sprunt historical pub- 
lications. 
The Numismatist. 

Ohio. State university. Bulletin. 

Ohio archaeological and historical quarterly. 

Ohio state lantern. 

Old Northwest Genealogical Quarterly. 

Oregon historical society. Quarterly. 

Outlook. 

Pennsylvania magazine of history and biography. 

Philippine library bulletin. 

Pittsburgh. Public library. Monthly bulletin. 

Public health nurse quarterly. 

Public libraries. 

Publishers weekly. 

Records of the past. 
Reserve Weekly. 

Science. 

Scribner's magazine. 

Southwestern historical quarterly. 

Thrift. 

Trinity Baptist herald. 

The Trooper. 

Virginia. State library. Bulletin. 

Washington historical quarterly. 

Western Reserve University Bulletin. 

William and Mary college quarterly historical magazine. 

Wooltex news. 

World's work. 



Treasurer's Report 25 

Treasurer's Report 

THE WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

A. S. Chisholm, Treas. 

May 1, 1912. Cash on hand 2,295.61 

Subscriptions May 1, 1912, to 

April 30, 1913 5,165.00 

Miscellaneous receipts 53.26 

Payments on old subscriptions. 1,250.00 

Interest on Bank Bal 18.49 8,782.36 

Disbursements 

May 1, 1912. to April 30, 1913 6,463.59 

Audited Vouchers paid May 1, 

1913 923.50 7,387.09 

Balance 

Apr. 30, 1913. Bank Balance 2,320.82 

less check May 1, 1912 (not in) 2.05 2,318.77 
Receipts to April 30, 1913. . . .8,782.36 
Expenses to April 30, 1913. . . .6,463.59 
Balance 2,318.77 

May 1, I9I3. There were subscriptions unpaid 

amounting to 3,600.00 

Since paid 1,900.00 

Balance unpaid 1,700.00 



Part II 



LUu 



iJU\-: -'-^.^'C'LU^Cf 



Northern Ohio During the War of 

1812 

Letters and Papers in Western Reserve 
Historical Library 



Introduction by 

ELBERT JAY BENTON, Ph. D. 

Professor of History in Western Reserve University 



Northern Ohio In the War of 1812 29 



INTRODUCTION. 

President Madison was a man of peace and very 
reluctantly assumed the role of leader in a war with 
Great Britain. In his message to Congress, June 1, 
1812, he gave as his reasons for advising this resort to 
force the practices of the British authorities. These were 
comprehended under the charges that the authorities 
were ( 1 ) searching American ships in American harbors 
and on the high seas, (2) impressing citizens into the 
British naval service, and (3) interfering with the 
rights of American merchants as neutrals. His only 
reference to the interests of the West was a brief inti- 
mation that British influences were responsible for the 
Indian attacks on the frontier during 1811 and 1812. 

The war was thus begun in the name of commercial 
rights. It is, however, a well known fact that the New 
England states, the principal commercial states of the 
Union, were strongly opposed to the war. They did 
as much as they well could to prevent its success. It 
seemed at one time that they were about to secede be- 
cause of the war. The southern states were, on the 
other hand, not commercial states and had little to gain 
by a war for commercial rights. The older statesmen 
of the Jefferson school had steadfastly resisted war with 
Great Britain through many years, even when the 
causes for one were much stronger than existed in 1812. 
The President's party yielded to the demands of the 
West. The Congressmen from this section, called the 
"War-Hawks" at the time, represented the optimistic, 
self-reliant, "afraid-of-nobody" spirit of the frontier. 
They included in their number not only the representa- 



30 Northern Ohio In the War of 1812 

tives from the three western states in the Union of the 
time — Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee — but also a 
great many from the western counties of the old states. 
The strongest sentiment for war prevailed west of 
the Allegheny mountains. The entire region was prac- 
tically unanimous for a vigorous, aggressive war, one 
which should conquer and annex new territories. 

The cause of the western attitude was plainly not 
so much concern for commercial rights and seamen's 
freedom as for local security and space for expansion. 
The conflict with Tecumseh and his Indian confederacy 
in the Wabash Valley in 1811 prepared the way for this 
demand for a larger war. Annual Indian depredations 
occurred on the frontier. Early in 1812 the settlers in 
many places were forced to abandon their farms and to 
seek refuge within the nearest forts. It was merely an- 
other location of the long struggle between the Indian 
and the English race for the possession of the continent. 
The frontiersmen believed that the British authorities 
in Canada instigated the Indian raids for selfish pur- 
poses, just as a century earlier their forefathers, living 
on the frontier, were convinced that the French were 
behind the Indian wars. The western settlers in each 
case looked upon the expulsion first of the French and 
then of the British authorities as essential to peace on 
the frontier. The frontiersman in American History 
has been by instinct an expansionist. In 1812 he 
was fighting first for the possession of the Wabash 
Valley and less definitely for a larger Northwest. Those 
who supported the war in the East undoubtedly had in 
mind the commercial rights of the nation; those in the 
West sought the usual western prize — a new territory. 
According to this view the westward movement was the 



Northern Ohio In the War of 1812 31 

vital force driving the nation into a war with Great 
Britain. 

War was declared against Great Britain June 18, 
1812. News soon reached the United States that Great 
Britain had finally removed one of the chief causes of 
the war by the repeal of the Orders in Council. More- 
over, a war at that time against Great Britain was equiv- 
alent to an alliance with Napoleon Bonaparte, aiding 
him to fasten his system upon Europe. The ideals of 
Bonaparte and the frontiersmen in America were anti- 
podal. Nevertheless the war went on. The forces driv- 
ing the United States into the struggle knew little of the 
meaning of Bonaparte's career in Europe and the effect 
of the ultimate triumph. They were in no way con- 
cerned about the consequences of their action beyond the 
limits of their own continent. 

The war-makers in the United States planned from 
the first to make the war one for the conquest of Canada. 
Henrv Clay aroused his followers with the declaration 

that "the conquest of Canada is in your power." 

"I trust I shall not be deemed presumptuous when I 
state that I verily believe that the militia of Kentucky 
are alone competent to place Montreal and Upper Can- 
ada at your feet." (Foot note — Annals of Cong. 11 
Cong. 1 sess. 580.) A blissful ignorance of the difficul- 
ties of an aggressive campaign on the frontiers and of 
the attitude Canada would take prevailed. The nation 
nonchalantly announced its plan, and started about its 
execution with a conceit and want of preparation almost 
unbelievable. Henry Dearborn, appointed senior ma- 
jor-general, planned the campaign for 1812. The main 
attack on Canada was to be by the route leading from 
the Hudson River past lakes George and Champlain to 
Montreal. Three other invasions, one from Sackett's 



32 Northern Ohio In the War of 1812 

Harbor, another from Niagara, and a third from De- 
troit were to co-operate with the main attack. The 
government aimed by these expeditions at the capture 
of Maiden at the western end of Lake Erie, Niagara at 
the eastern end, Kingston and Montreal on the St. 
Lawrence River. It evidently believed that such suc- 
cesses would squeeze the British forces out of Canada. 

General William Hull, governor of JNIichigan Ter- 
ritory, was entrusted with the command of the expedi- 
tion on the farther west. He led an army composed 
chiefly of Ohio militia from Dayton to Detroit. He 
reached the latter place in July, 1812, and soon there- 
after advanced into Canada to the seige of Maiden. 
The natural difficulties of his task were enormous. 

He was separated from his source of supplies and 
re-enforcements more than two hundred miles. A wild- 
erness almost impassable for supply trains except under 
the most favorable conditions intervened. Lake Erie 
was under control of the British. His position, even 
after he had withdrawn to Detroit, was untenable, and 
yet his officers refused to abandon the enterprise. News 
that the British had captured Mackinaw, July 17, and 
the report that a horde of hostile savages was gathering 
in his rear seemed to paralj^ze Hull instead of stirring 
him to the utmost activity. Nothing but almost mi- 
raculous energy and military cunning could have saved 
him. On August 15 he surrendered. His loss was the 
first large sacrifice from the haste and want of careful 
preparation of those waging the war. 

On the same day that Hull surrendered at Detroit, 
the little garrison at Fort Dearborn (Chicago) yielded 
to an overwhelming Indian force. The fort was burned 
and the garrison massacred. The war had begun, but 
by it the United States had already lost an army, a 



Northern Ohio In the War of 1812 SS 

fortified town and a territory. Michigan territory and 
the Great Lakes passed completely under British au- 
thority. The line of the Wabash and the Maumee riv- 
ers became the northwestern boundary of the territory 
the United States occupied. With the utmost difficulty 
the scattered garrisons on the Wabash and Maumee 
frontier held their positions against the Indian attacks. 
Farms in the region were laid waste, and the inhabitants 
murdered. The frontiersmen organized themselves into 
vigilant committees and military companies in order to 
protect the borders until a new army could be organized 
and led forward. 

At this crisis General William H. Harrison, popu- 
lar in the West for his success in the Indian wars, was 
placed in command of the army of the Northwest. The 
ardor of the West was not abated. The war had be- 
come a war of defense. The call for a western army of 
10,000 men brought forward 15,000 volunteers. Harri- 
son advanced his army as it was gathered from the va- 
rious parts of the western states in three divisions, be- 
sides sending a small force to the relief of the garrisons 
in the Wabash Valley. The Virginia and Pennsyl- 
vania troops, chiefly the militia from the western coun- 
ties, crossed Ohio by way of Wooster and Upper San- 
dusky on their way to an appointed rendezvous at the 
rapids a few miles above the mouth of the Maumee 
River. 

A middle column, composed chiefly of the Ohio 
militia, marched from Urbana by Fort McArthur to- 
wards the rapids. The regular troops and the Ken- 
tucky volunteers passed down the Auglaize and Mau- 
mee rivers from St. Marys and Defiance. General 
Harrison's army advanced slowlv during the fall and 
winter of 1812 and 1813. It was obliged to cut its own 



34 Northern Ohio In the War of 1812 

roads and build causeways through the forests and 
swamps in northwestern Ohio. It was obhged to carry- 
its own supphes and munitions of war. The men were 
without tents and an adequate quantity of blankets. 
Their clothing soon wore out, and a new supply could 
not be secured. They were obliged to fall back on the 
hides of their cattle and the furs of wild animals. 

On January 22, 1813, an advance body of about 
900 men under the command of General Winchester was 
attacked at Frenchtown on the Raisin River by the Brit- 
ish and their Indian allies. About four hundred of 
Winchester's men were killed in battle or massacred by 
the Indians, and the remainder were taken prisoners. 
About forty escaped. The loss of this force and the ex- 
piration of the terms of enlistment of the militia nearly 
wiped out Harrison's army. In February, 1813, it was 
necessary to start for the third time in gathering a 
northwestern army and putting it in condition to ad- 
vance into the lost territory. The victory of Perry on 
Lake Erie, September 10, 1813, formed a turning point 
in the war, so far as the Northwest was concerned. The 
authority that controlled Lake Erie possessed the great 
highway in the western campaign. The British imme- 
diately withdrew from Detroit and Maiden. General 
Harrison occupied Detroit, but never made any prog- 
ress with the conquest of Canada, any more than did 
the leaders of the other expeditions. The war closed a 
little more than a year later with the United States in 
control of the territory it had lost during the first months 
of the war. During the conflict the Indian resistance 
to the western movement of population had been thor- 
oughly broken. This war on the western frontier 
against the Indians and some 700 or 800 British soldiers 
cost the United States $5,000,000, the efforts of alto- 



Northern Ohio In the War of 1812 35 

gether about 20,000 men, and a great loss of property 
and life. 

The following letters and papers, reprinted from 
the collections of the Western Reserve Historical So- 
ciety, describe some phases of the conditions in northern 
Ohio during these campaigns, the difficulties of the un- 
dertaking, and the attitude of the people toward it. 
Those published here should be supplemented by others 
published in earlier tracts of the Society. Tract Num- 
ber 1 contains an account of the battle and massacre at 
Frenchtown by one of the few survivors; Tract Num- 
ber 3 contains nine letters from the Whittlesey papers 
and correspondence on the early months of the w^ar; 
Tract Number 7, miscellaneous letters of progress of the 
officers in charge of the assembling militia in northern 
Ohio in September, 1812; Tract Number 12, further 
selections from the papers and letters of Elisha Whittle- 
sey regarding the difficulties of organization and ad- 
vance of the army; Tracts Number 15 and Number 17, 
selections from the correspondence of Major Tod, chief- 
ly concerned with recruiting soldiers for the western 
armies; Tract Number 18, miscellaneous correspondence 
of officers in command of the troops in northern Ohio; 
Tract Number 19, biographies of the officers in com- 
mand of the troops of northern Ohio, and letters from 
Major Tod's correspondence for 1813, chiefly concerned 
with recruiting and the western mail service; Tract 
Number 22, an account of the Battle of Frenchtown; 
Tract Number 23, an account of the sortie at Fort 
Meigs ; Tract Number 26, an account of the surrender 
of Hull at Detroit, and letters regarding the conditions 
in the West in September and October, 1812; Tract 
Number 51, Whittlesey's History of General Wads- 
worth's Division of Harrison's Armv, and several letters 



36 Northern Ohio In the War of 1812 

on progress of the army's advance; Tract Number 72, 
an account of the Battle of the Peninsula, near San- 
dusky, September 29, 1812. 

Several letters from Samuel Church of Connecticut 
to his brother in Ohio are included in this collection be- 
cause they contrast the attitude of New England and 
the West toward the war. The Western Reserve His- 
torical Society possesses a complete file of the Trumj) 
of Fame for the period of the war. It was published 
at Warren, and was the only newspaper of The West- 
ern Reserve during the war of 1812. 1813 and 1814. It 
constitutes one of the valuable sources of information on 
this subject. A very few notes on the war were taken 
from it have been reprinted because they illustrate 
phases not touched by the letters. The Society possesses 
a great many papers and letters bearing upon the war 
which have not been pubhshed. Those of General Elijah 
Wadsworth, who was appointed Major General and 
placed in command of the Fourth Division ; and of Eli- 
sha Whittlesey, Brigade Major in the western army, aid 
to Gen. Wadsworth, and part of the time aid and private 
secretary to General Harrison, and those of Simon Per- 
kins, Brigadier General, and other collections (for list 
of which see tract number 51, page 1 of the Society's 
Publications) record in detail the organization and ad- 
vance of their parts of the western army during 1812 
and 1813. Only a small part, though probably the 
more interesting part, of these letters and papers and 
only a few of the large number of official rosters in the 
Society's possession have yet been published. 

The war as far as Ohio was concerned came to an 
end in 1813. 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 37 

Marietta April 6th, 1812. 
Generaj. Elijah Wadsworth. 

Sir: — The President of the United States has called 
on me to raise immediately 1,200 Men, Volunteers, 
under the act authorizing the President of the United 
States to accept and organize Certain Volunteers Corps, 
Copies of which act I transmit you. The object of rais- 
ing the volunteers is to march to Detroit. You will 
readily perceive that should the Brittish get possession 
of that place, that the Indians on both sides of the Lakes 
might join them and the frontiers of Ohio, be harrassed 
by the murderous Incursions of numerous Savages. 

In the event of a war, to prevent such disastrous 
consequences — and with a view to ulterior measures, I 
conceive the President's requisition to have been made. 

You are therefore directed without delay to raise 
Three Companies of men under the aforesaid Act, either 
by the Tenders of service of Companies — or under the 
39th Section of the Law of Ohio "For desciplining the 
Militia." 

I trust that you will use every exertion to raise the 
Companies — it is important that no delay be made. 

Please write, and direct to me at Chillicothe. 

I am Sir, Respectfully, 

Your Obdt. Svt. 
R. J. Meigs^ Govr. of Ohio. 

P. S. — I expect there will be no doubt but that the 
volunteers may bee raised — if not, a draft must take 
place. Please direct your letters to Chillicothe. R. J. 
Meigs. 



38 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

State of Ohio — Adjutant Genl/s Office 

June 1812 

I am directed by the Commander in Chief to call 
on the Major Generals of the Respective Divisions, to 
take effectual measures, to organize, Arm and equip 
according to law, and hold in readiness to march at a 
moment's warning their proportion of five thousand Mi- 
litia, Officers included, by virtue of a requisition of the 
President of the United States, and an Act of Congress 
passed the 10th April last, Entitled, "An Act to Auth- 
orise a Detachment from the Militia of the United 
States." 

This therefore is to require of you to take effectual 
measures for having Nine hundred and seventy nine of 
the Militia of your Division (being your quota) Viz.: 
two Lt. Colls., 4 Majors, 14 Captains. 14 Lieutenants, 
14 Ensigns, and Nine hundred and thirty two Non Com- 
misd. Officers, Miisitians and privates, Detached and 
duly Organized, in Company, Battallions and Regi- 
ments within the shortest period that Circumstances will 
permit, and as nearly as possible in the following pro- 
portions of Artilery Cavalry and Infantry, Viz.: Our 
twentieth part of Artilery, our twentieth part of Cav- 
alry and the residue Infantry, there will however be no 
Objection on the part of the Commander in Chief of the 
admission of a proportion of Riflemen duly organized in 
distinct Corps. 

Each Corps should be properly Armed and 
equipped for actual service. 

When the Detachments and organization shall 
have been effected, the respective Corps will be exer- 
cised under the Officers set over them but will not 

remain embodied or be considered as in actual service, 
until by subsequent orders, they shall be directed to take 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 39 

the field.— — -You will please to direct that correct num- 
ter Rolls, and Inspection returns be made of the sev- 
eral Corps, and that copies thereof be sent to this Office, 
as early as possible. 

The Commander in Chief relies with Confidence 

upon the exertions of every Officer to promote the 

Organization and trusts that the second Army of 

Ohio, will, (if occasion should call) manifest the same 
Zeal, which has animated the first now on the shores of 
the Lake Arms and Accoutrements will be imme- 
diately distributed, from the Arsenal at Newport and 
are now on the Ohio. 

The Ulterior Organization of Brigades and Divi- 
sions will be directed so soon as the returns above men- 
tioned shall have been made to the Adjt. Genls. Office. 
Major Genl. Elijah Wadsworth, 

Commandt. 4th Division O. M. 
By order of the Commanders in Chief. 

W. Horn, Adjt. Genl. 

Salisbury [Conn.,] July 4th 1812. 

Dear Brother. 

Yours of the 14 June is before me. We have here 
no particular news of consequence to be relied on. The 
Declaration of War keeps open all ears for the tidings 
of blood. In this country War is quite unpopular tho 
the Federalists of information feel animated for an hon- 
orable issue. I did fear that every nerve of opposition 
and treason would be exerted to render abortive this 
measure of Patriotism, but I think the disposition is 
confined to the petulant and uninformed. Our Gover- 
nor and Council are now convened on the constitutional- 
ity of placing the Militia under the immediate command 



40 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

of Genl. Dearborn. Our Governor is a man of true 
patriotism. I am confident he will not hesitate in call- 
ing out the forces of the State. 

Many are the Speculations on the termination of 
this War. My opinion is it will not continue longer 
than one year, my reasons are, that if the contest haves 
that effect on the councils of Great Britain as to pro- 
duce a change of ministry a speedy peace will be made 
on our terms; if not the unpopularity of the war will 
cause a change of administration here next March ; when 
peace will be made on any terms. On the presidential 
election I can form no opinion. My own sentiments 
lead me to prefer Dewit Clinton. The election of this 
ihle and upright Magistrate would tend to cure those 
jealosies of Southern influence and preponderance and 
his commercial predilections will also cure the jealosies 
which now exist on that subject. I reverence and esteem 
Mr. Madison and approve his measures yet the quiet 
of the country in my opinion would be better secured 
by the election of a President from the northern States. 

News of a local nature I have none. The Sick- 
ness in this town has abated and disappeared. Mother 
is not yet recovered entirely. Leman is at School on 
Sharon mountain. JSIrs. Coffin wife of John C. Coffin 
was buried on Thursday. She died of a consumption. 
The Season is ver}^ wet and cold. Corn looks miser- 
ably; the English grain looks well. I hope you are not 
in danger from Indians or their friends and allies the 
Canadians. Write me without any delay and frequent- 
ly. Your brother, 

Samuel. 

[Tol M Ensign Church 
Canfield, O. 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 41 

July 8, 1812. 

War Preparations. 

It appears by the returns of the War Office, as 
stated in the Iiitelligencer, that seventeen thousand men 
have inlisted. The number is rapidly increasing every 
day, and from what we have seen of the spirit of '75 on 
the Western frontier and in the middle states there is no 
doubt a sufficient number of Volunteers will turn out 
when called on to bear the American standard down the 
lakes to the mouth of the St. Lawrence, without a single 
man from New England. We trust some good will 
arise from the apparent apathy of this section of the 
union. Whenever government see fit to prepare for de- 
fensive or offensive operations on the ocean the eastern 
states will awake from their slumbers, betake themselves 
to their favorite element and bear a double portion of 
the burthens and the honors of effectual war. 

[From the Trump of Fame.] 

Chillicothe Patriotism 

Chillicothe, July 25. 
Late on Saturday evening last an express arrived 
in town with a letter from Gen. Hull to Gov- 
ernor Meigs, stating that the army was very de- 
ficient in provisions, that Mr. Piatt was author- 
ized to furnish a supply for two months, and 
that the communication must be preserved by 
the militia of this state or the army would 
perish for the Avant of provisions. The letter concludes 
with saying, 'we have the fullest confidence that you will 
do all in your power to prevent so distressing a calam- 
ity.' — A letter was, at the same time, received from the 
contractor, stating, that provisions were deposited at 



42 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

Urbana, ready to be packed on horses, but that he should 
be obhged to wait for a convoy of troops to protect it, 
and open a new road, as the old one is almost impassable. 
At the time the above despatches were received, the Gov- 
ernor was at his residence in Marietta. The next morn- 
ing (Sunday) they were opened by the secretary of 
state; and immediately on their contents being made 
known the drum beat to arms. It is with peculiar pleas- 
ure we record the patriotic spirit displayed by our citi- 
zens on the occasion. After marching through the streets 
a short time, between 60 and 70 volunteers stepped into 
the ranks at the call. No distinction of party or pro- 
fession was known — the fedralist, the republican, the 
farmer, the mechanic, the lawyer and the merchant in- 
discriminately determined to shoulder muskets, and 
brave every danger to relieve their fellow countrymen 
who are now in Canada. 

On Monday morning the company paraded at the 
court house, when they elected Henry Brush, Captain, 
William Beach, Lieutenant, and John Stockton, En- 
sign, and then drew their arms. Being without uni- 
form they instantly agreed upon a suitable one for the 
purpose, immediately purchased the stuff, and through 
the exertions of the ladies they were all completed 
before evening. In the meantime the rest of the citizens 
were not idle — moulds bing first made, some were en- 
gaged in moulding bullets, some in moulding buck-shot, 
and some in making cartridges. Before evening, near 
2000 cartridges, each containing a ball and three buck- 
shot, were made, and other necessaries, such as provi- 
sions, canteens, knapsacks, blankets and other camp 
equipage provided, all at the expense of private indi- 
viduals. Early the next morning they started for 
Urbana, accompanied by the citizens, in regular march. 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 43 

a few miles out of town. Thus, in less than 24 hours, 
a large company of volunteers was raised, completely 
equiped, and on their march through a hostile and wil- 
derness country. The zeal and promptitude displayed 
by our citizens on this occasion deserve the highest en- 
comiums; altho' they did not illuminate, and disturb 
the peace of society by mobs and rejoicings when they 
received the Declaration of War; yet they have exhib- 
ited that true spirit of patriotism, which, when required, 
steps forth with alacrity, to defend her country's rights. 
It will be recollected this is the fourth company who 
have volunteered their services and are now in actual 
service, from this town and its vicinity — two of whom 
are now in Canada. Another company of mounted 
riflemen, from the vicinity of this place, met for the 
purpose of volunteering their services on the present 
occasion, had the Governor been here to accept them. 
Let each state follow the example of Ohio, especially 
Chillicothe and its vicinity, and the contest in which we 
are engaged will soon come to an honorable termination. 

[From the Trump of Fame.] 

To Men of Patriotism, Courage and Enterprise. 

August 12, 1812. 
Every able-bodied man, from the age of 18 to 45 
years, who shall be enlisted for the term of five years, 
will be paid a bounty of Sixteen Dollars — and whenever 
he shall have served the term for which he enlisted, and 
obtained an honorable discharge, stating that he had 
faithfully performed his duty whilst in service, he shall 
be allowed and paid, in addition to the aforesaid bounty, 
three months' pay, and One Hundred and Sixty Acres 
of Land; and in case he should be killed in action or 



44 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

die in the service, his heirs and representatives will be 
entitled to the said three months' pay, and one hundred 
and sixty acres of land, to be designated, surveyed and 
laid off, at the public expense. 

Wilson Elliot, 
Capt. United States Army. 

Warren, July 6, 1812. Place of Rendezvous, 
Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio. 

[From the TrumjJ of Fame.] 

Cleaveland Ohio Aug 20th, 1812. 
Maj. Genl. Wadsworth. 

Sir We have just now received information by the 
express mail that Genl. Hull and his Army have sur- 
rendered prisoners of War at Detroit — which is taken 
This information we have from the Garison who re- 
treated from River Raisin — which was summoned to 
surrender under a flag of truce from the Brittish — who 
stated that Hull and his army had surrendered — and 
had orders from Hull to surrender also. The Com- 
mander at River Raisin at first disbelieved the Commu- 
nication — but his scout soon informed him )that the 
Brittish were marching on in great force, he accord- 
ingly retreated. The express Mail was stopped by this 
information this side of Sandusky and Returned. The 
inhabitants are leaving Sanduskey, Huron &c. It is 
reported that the Brittish are on their march this way. 
How true these reports are we do not know. We are 
however determined to make a Stand here at all events. 
And in order to enable us to do this effectually and to 
prevent all inhabitants from leaving the Country, it is 
of the utmost importance that we should have all the as- 
sistance we can obtain immediatelv — of ]\Ien, Arms, 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 45 

Ammunition, provisions, &c. — No time is to be lost — if 
we have any assistance it is necessary to have it im- 
mediately or it will do no good. 

We are with the utmost respect 

Dear Sir Yours &c. 
Nathan Perry 

Hiram Hanchett 
A. Kelley 
A. W. Walworth 
Sam Williamson 
Daniel Mosher 
Isaac J. Lacy 
Dyer Shearman 
D. C. Henderson 
Har^^y Murray 
Lorenzo Carter 
Saml. Jones 
Datus Kelley 



Brigade Order. 
Sir 

Information is this moment received by the express 
mail carrier that the town of Detroit is taken by the 
British troops and Indians from Canada — also that the 
whole army of General Hull on our Northwestern fron- 
tier have been taken prisoners, that the Indians, &c have 
progressed as far as the Miami and are continuing their 
march this way. 

To repel the enemy you are hereby ordered to de- 
tach one half of the effective men in your regiment with 
a suitable proportion of officers and that they be well 
equiped for the field, that they rendezvous somewhere 
within the limits of your regiment, at a time and place 



46 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

to be appointed by you — Where you shall receive fur- 
ther orders — This duty is to be done with all possible 
dispatch — 

Warren, August 22d, 1812. 

Simon Perkins. 



Express Mail War of 1812. 

Leave Pittsburgh tuesday 11. A. M. 

Arrive at Greersburgh 8. P. M. 

Warren Wednesday 6. A. M. 

Aurora " 1. P. M. 

Cleaveland 10. P. M. 

Leave Cleaveland 11. P. M. 

Arrive at Miami Friday 1. P. M. 

Returning. 

Leave Miami Sunday 10. A. M. 

Arrive at Cleaveland Monday 12. Night 

Leave Cleaveland tuesday 1. A. M. 

Arrive at Aurora " 10. A. M. 

Warren tuesday 5. P. M. 

Greersburgh Wednesday 3. A. M. 

Pittsburgh " .' 1. P. M. 



Cleaveland 22d August 1812. 
Gen. S. Purkins, [Perkins] 

Sir: — ^We are at this place really in an allarming 
situation — We are informed and we believe correctly, 
that the British are in possession of Detroit, and that 
Gen. Hull and his whole army are prisoners of war — 
They are advancing rapidly towards this place — Last 
evenino; nine Boats reached the River Huron laden it 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 47 

is stated with 300 regulars and 600 Indians. The set- 
tlements to west are all broken up — The poor defence- 
less inhabitants are arriving here allmost every hour, our 
situation is deplorable. Your good senee will dictate to 
you what we stand in need of therefore we shall expect 
your aid to the extent of your power — We are deter- 
mined to make a stand at all events. 

Gaius Pease Brig. Maj. 

Saml. Jones Major 

Hiram Hanchett 

A. Kelley 

By Order | Lorenso Carter 
I Nathan Perry 
N. B. All troops in the towns thro which this ex- 
press shall pass are requested to come immediately to 
our assistance whither in large or small numbers. 

Gen Perkins 

Sir I left Cleaveland last eve at 12 o'clock it was 
said before I came away that the enemy were at Black 
River. Whether it can be depended on or not I do not 
know. I met Seymour Austin this morning at Day 
Light North part of Huron he was on the horse he start- 
ed with. Cleaveland is allmost dessolate of women and 
children they are retreating by grand River this way. 

I went to Cleaveland in 7 hours and Returned in 12. 

Yours, &c., 

C. Benedict. (?) 

23 August [1812] 

People of Hudson and all others it may concern. 
The fears of Cleaveland are all hushed. We find that 
Indians that went into Sandusky bay and Huron River 



48 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

were our own men part of Hulls army from Detroit. 
Detroit has fell by the villainy of Hull the men are re- 
turning. The express charged with the armistice from 
the governor of Canada and Genl. Dearborn goes in this 
morning; we consequently expect no further hostilities 
at present. 

Augustus Gilbert 
Lorenzo Carter 

Committee of safety. 
Cleaveland, August 23, 1812. 

United States to Owen Brown and David Hudson Dr. 

Augt. 26 To 4 Hinsdale Axes at 2.75 $1 1-0— 

1812 To serving as appraiser of property part 

of a day 1 -0 

27 To 1-2 day spent in procuring horses for ex- 
presses 0.50 

Sept. 1 To horse to Cleveland for express 150 

To self and horse 1-2 day assisting getting 
on Ammunition Waggon and forage for 

team 1 ^0 

2 To keeping Express horse to hay and Oats 

in Stable at different times 1 — 

9 To going to Portage with Genl. Wadsworth 

letter by his express order 1 — 

30 To horse to Portage 44 

To procuring horses and saddles for Mr. 

Way to forward soldiers 75 

To Saddle to Huron and Damage done saddle 1 50 
To Certificate N. 30 in O. Browns favor.. 5 25 

Oct. 8 To do— do— N. 26 2 31 

To horse b}'^ O. Brown Express to Cleveland 1 50 

To do— do— Aurora 62 1-2 

29 To 1 day procuring linnen and forwarding it 

on to Huron for wounded 1-0-0 

To Mr. Way's' bill of forrage 1.44 

Acting Quarter Master 

Owen Brown 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 49 

Allowed the within in David Hudson's ac- 
count 3 Axes at 2.;)0 $7.50 

1 Day appraising property 1.00 

1 Horse 3 days, on express 1.50 

Forage for express horse 3 days 1.00 

Express from Cleveland to Portage 0.75 

Use of horse from Hudson to Portage 40 

$12.15 



Hudson 29th August, 1812 
Dear Sir — 

As I am informed you have dismissed the one half 
of the Mihtia from Trumbull County — I have conversed 
with some of our principal men and they are all of the 
opinion that the same favor ought to be extended to the 
Militia of Portage Countj^ — by a judicious disposition 
of the companies retained under Capt. Lusk the inhabi- 
tants on this frontier feel relieved from a sense of danger 
— the panic has subsided — and a much smaller force 
would now answer the purpose, as a force to the west- 
ward is the main object — and as I understand there is 
a number of troops sent on to Huron. We do not con- 
ceive the danger to be sufficiently pressing to justify re- 
taining all the Militia of this County in actual service — 
especially at a time like this, as our future harvest de- 
pends on the present seed time, which requires more 
help, for the old men and boys who are left behind can 
hardly do the other necessary labor without medling with 
the preparation for sowing — were I at liberty to obtrude 
my opinion I would recommend it to you — Sir — gradu- 
ally to discharge the Militia — say one half forthwith — 
and half the remainder, as soon as circumstances will 
justify — and so on — Unless You consider us in this re- 
spect, the evil of not sowing our wheat this season, will 



oO Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

be severely felt next — I trust, Dear Sir, You will feel 
the force of these remarks and dismiss the Militia as fast 
as the safety of the Country will admit — relying on your 
good sense and judgment in giving every reason its 
proper weight and with the best wishes for the welfare 
of the Country at large, I continue Yours sincerely 

David Hudson. 

Genl. Elijah Wadsworth. 



Camp at Cleaveland August 29th 1812. 
I am as yet in excellent health. Yesterday one 
company of men crossed the Cuyahoga which will be 
followed by two others today and more tomorrow under 
the command of B. G. Simon Perkins. They will sta- 
tion themselves, in the most healthy situation somewhere 
near the Huron, for the purpose of allaying the fears of 
the few inhabitants who are remaining in that country 
and act as a corps of observation. The troops have not 
all of them arrived. Col. Hayes Regiment is expected 
today. Raynes tomorrow, together with, the detach- 
ment from Bealls and Millers Brigade. The encamp- 
ment is about three quarters of a mile from Town pleas- 
antly situated, near some of the finest springs you ever 
saw. About fifty hovels are already completed, and the 
necessary works progressing for the reception of the 
troops. It is very difficult to organize the Militia, in the 
encampment but like all other things of magnitude, may 
be in some measure, improved by time and a good share 
of patience. My time is very busily employed and not 
that time to communicate with you which I wish, and 
believe I shall have hereafter. I wish Mr. Boughton to 
see that the ground for wheat is well ploughed. There 
is not at present any danger apprehended. 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 51 

My Love to all friends family connections, and the 
dear children. 

Yours Affectionately 

Elisha Whittlesey. 
Mrs. Mary Whittlesey. 



BoARDMAN 31st August 1812. 
Ma J. Genl. E. Wads worth 

Sir : — Receiving information that no regular means 
are provided for the support of troops under your com- 
mand and it is your calculation to make an encampment 
of some length of time Ma jr. Eliott or myself would be 
happy in furnishing you with sutch kinds of provision 
as you should Mant. Major Eliott has now a number 
of fat Cattle on hand which he will dispose of should you 
want otherwise will drive them over the mountains im- 
mediately. Mr. Tappan of Steubenville informed Ma- 
jor Eliott that on his arrival at Cleaveland woud con- 
verse with you on the appointment of a Contractor the 
bearer Mr. Kingsbury will bring back information 
should you wish to send and- — had no other opportunity 
— should you appoint either of us as Contractor your 
orders shall be punctually attended to by JMajr. Eliott 
or your humble Servt — 

William Ingersol. 



Waren Ohio Sept. 2d A. D. 1812 
Sir 

We have been informed by Mr. Coulter and others 
to endeavor to effect a Sale of the powder Lead and 
flour purchased by the Citizens of the Town of Beaver 
for the purpose of supplying a corpse of volunteers that 



52 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

marched from that Place on the 28th augst. for the Pur- 
pose of repeUiiig if posible the Savages making en- 
crochments on our Frontier — 

The above Articles are stored in Waren in this 
State — The Citizens of Beaver would be verry desirous 
of selling them but would not be Willing to take Gov- 
ernment for the pay. The powder can be had at Mr. 
Brooks and A. Bentley likewise the Lead and flour If 
individuals who — responbible will undertake the pay- 
ment powder to be 87 1-2 cts per lb Lead 15 cts per lb 
Flour Superfine 7 dollars per barrel — 

In haste We are Sir 
Your Obdt. Humbl Servt. 
J. R. Shannon 



John McDanagh 



JNIajor Genl. E. Wads worth. 



Sept. 2, 1812. 

Our neighbors in Pennsylvania are on the alert ; the 
militia are marching to the frontiers. We are informed, 
that a large force is assembled at Erie. It is said, that 
a number of volunteer corps from that state, began their 
march for Cleveland, but have returned, or are about to 
return, on learning that a sufficient number of men were 
assembled from this state, at that place, for the protec- 
tion of our frontier. 

( Since the above was in type we have been informed 
that those troops will march on to Cleveland.) 

[From the Trump of Fame.] 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 53 

Sept. 2, 1812. 
We observe a determined opposition to the meas- 
ures of the general government in the executives of the 
states of Connecticut, and Massachusetts. They are de- 
termined, that the mihtia of these states shall bear no 
part in the burthen of the war. A word to the people of 
Connecticut, in their corporate capacity, and another to 
certain citizens of the states of Connecticut, and Massa- 
chusetts, in their individual capacities. At this moment 
while you refuse to call forth the militia to the protection 
of your frontier and your exclusive property, one half 
of the people of the northern section of the State of Ohio 
are encamped amid marshes, and in places pregnant 
with disease and death, most of them without a tent to 
shelter them from the storm, many of them without a 
blanket, on which to lay their weary limbs, for the pro- 
tection of your property, from the fangs of certain good 
people. 

[From the Trump of Fame.] 

Northern Confederacy. 

Sept. 2, 1812. 
Much has been said and M^itten within a few years 
past, on the subject of a Northern Confederacy, having 
for its object, the separation of the states and an alliance 
with England. It did not require the evidence of Capt. 
Henry's disclosures, to convince those who have been 
acquainted with political characters and political move- 
ments in this quarter, that such conspiracy has been long 
since formed and still exists among us. Within a few 
months the evidence has been become too glaring, for 
any man to resist who is not willingly ignorant, or wil- 
fully blind. The language of the anglo-federal papers. 



£4 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

and the proceedings of the house of representatives at 
their late session in Boston, have been such as to attract 
all eyes, and to make but one impression upon every 
part of the Union, that is not cursed with a double por- 
tion of British influence — Such as to draw the avowal 
from the N. York Evening Post the very last public 
journal (Messrs. Hanson & Wagner's excepted) from 
which frankness on this subject was to have been ex- 
pected, that Massachusetts had declared openly for a 
separation of the states. These transactions and the 
lively sensation they have excited throughout the Union, 
are calculated to attach a peculiar interest to the pro- 
ceedings at our late town meeting — and particularly to 
those sound, patriotic and truly Washingtonian senti- 
ments which they have elicited from Mr. Dexter. 

If it is asked, what is the number of conspirators 
against the union, these life-bound "advocates of the 
British cause in America"; and what is the danger to 
be apprehended from them? — The answer is; their num- 
ber is small, though they have many tools which they 
manufacture with skill and wield with adroitness, but 
which, with all their adroitness, will finally cut their own 
fingers. 

The danger (if it exists) arises not from the in- 
herent strength they possess, but from the dissentions 
of the people, in reality American, and the folly and 
weakness of those who govern them. Let those who 
have the interest of our country at heart, to whatever 
party they belong, pursue a wise and steady course — 
and the enemies of our Union, meet when or where they 
may, under the pretense of "peacemakers" or any other 
plausible pretense whatever will find enough of our 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 55 

friends, in the garrison to watch their movements and 
frustrate their designs. Yankee 

[From the Trump of Fame.] 

[Salisbury, Conn. J September 4th 1812. 
Dear Brother ^ 

Agonized by hope and fear concerning the fate of 
the Army under Gen. Hull I sit myself down to write 
away my trepidation. Yesterday an account in the Al- 
bany paper extracted from a Canada paper, brot us the 
unhappy news of Hulls defeat; with the fedralists of 
the raving order it met with a very welcome reception; 
but with the Republicans it was evil tidings indeed. To 
day while all were mourning the fate of our brave Fel- 
low Citizens, Inewsl papers from Hartford brought a 
circumstantial account of the Surrender of Fort Mai- 
den to Gen. Hull; with news thus contradictory, we 
know not what to think or believe, god grant the latter 
tidings to be true. But I fear not. If he is taken I 
cannot divine the cause, with no enemy in his rear, it 
appears to me impossible. When he marched into Can- 
ada I thot it unwise and imprudent, with so small a reg- 
ular force, depending so entirely on militia impatient to 
return home, it was in my opinion folly in the extreme. 
But the folly and want of foresight of the government 
in not giving speedy notice of the Declaration of War 
is monstrous. I have long been convinced that the Mad- 
isonian administration is weak, too weak for war; yet 
honest. Whatever may be your opinion of De Witt 
Clinton it is a very general one here that he is the man 
who can save our honor; it is no objection that he is sup- 
ported by Fedralists, if he is not elected I fear for my 



^6 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

country; he is in favour of Commerce and a navy this 
is sufficient to descide my opinion in his favour. If 
Hull is taken I fear the Indians will be let loose among 
you. In this part of the Country the Fedralists use 
every effort to discourage enlistments, and take every 
opportunity to insult the troops and protect diserters. 
This week about 300 troops marched from Litchfield to 
Albany, on their way at Sheffield after encamping a 
night several of the Citizens attempted to insult them 
and to break thro the guards, in this attempt Col. Good- 
rich of Sheffield received a bayonet thro the arm and one 
other person had his head severely cut with a sword, a 
very great pity both wounds had not been mortal. Sev- 
eral of the citizens were kept under arrest thro the night 
and untill they promised to depart in peace. I do not 
know what scenes await us here the conduct of our gov- 
ernor and council in refusing to call out the Militia is 
monstrous and a part of the system of resistence to 
the general government, yet I imagine that our Fedral- 
ists durst not resist by force, tho they can count a ma- 
jority at the elections; they certainly can not of fighting 
men 15,000 have subscribed in this state to papers most 
solemnly to support the government and if fedralists 
are pleased to swing their guns against this number 
we do not fear to meet them, with justice and our coun- 
try on our side. 

Father is very anxious concerning you, you do not 
write him frequently. His health is very good and 
nothing now disturbs the peace and happiness of his old 
age but his anxiety on your account. Do write him fre- 
quently. I hope if Hull is taken you will have the 
whole army of Dearborn to take his place. There are 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 57 

about 4000 troops at Albany in good order and the num- 
ber is daily encreasing we shall hear of warm work soon. 

Yours, 
Saml. Church. 
[To] Mr. Ensign Church 
Canfield, Ohio. 



Hudson 4th Sept. 1812 
Genl. Elijah Wadsworth 

I received your three lines Directed to me this 
Week on the first by your Son George. I Sold him Six 
Barrels Whiskey for you Which is ready as he and I 
agreed I have Been Trying to Get Some Cattle to Send 
on, to you on the Condition, We Delivered the Other, 
as you proposed. But the people in this Quarter ap- 
pear Not to Be Willing to furnish any cattle on those 
terms they Fear there Will be delays in payment by 
goverment, and the prospect of Flour there Is poor, 
there is No Grain thrashed and they ask Six Dollars pr 
Barrel for Flour at the Mill in Tallmage Exclusive the 
Barrels, — and then I cannot get it Transported Short 
of two Dollars and fifty cents pr Barrel. You can 
Judge from these Statements that it is Difficult to Send 
on Supplyes from here, there is a Large Drove of Cat- 
tle Going On by the Bearer of this, and I hope you Can 
Get Sufficient Supplys Elsewhere. I Expect Mr. Dil- 
ling Ham has Drove on Some Beef by agreement With 
me, this from Yours Respectfully — 

Heman Oviatt. 



o8 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

Head quarters Cleveland 

Sept 9th 1812 

Genl Perkins 

The Major General is apprehensive that the posi- 
tion you have chosen for your camp, on the lake shore 
is a dangerous one, you are therefore ordered to remove 
the main hody of your troops to a distance of from eight 
to ten miles from the Lake either on the road to Mans- 
field or as near it as a good position, for water &c can 
be selected — you must build your block houses from 
twenty to 24 feet square of logs of tollerably large size 
and notched very close the lower story to have no win- 
dow and but one door and the door of thick puncheons 
not penetrable by a musket ball strongly built and 
strongly barred — the second story must project at least 
three feet over the lower story on every side and both 
in the horizontal part of the projection and its sides 
must have numerous portholes, this second story may be 
covered with a common cabbin roof and will be the mag- 
azine — such a block house if supplied with provisions 
and water and garisoned by 75 or 100 men will repel 
1000 Indians, so soon as you can do it you are to build 
three or four such block houses on the road to Mans- 
field at not more than five miles distant from each other 
in situations secure of supplies of water and immediately 
as they are built place in them a supply of fire wood for 
20 days and provisions for the garrison for the same 
length of time being carefull to renew the supplies so 
that they may be at all times provided for a seige, and 
garrison each with at least one company of men — Genl^ 
Beall is ordered to build like block houses and garrison 
them to form a line with yours. 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 59 

You are further ordered to report by the return of 
the express mail the whole force under your command 
stating from what Regiment they are drawn. 

The express this evening from the war office gives 
assurance that we shall be armed and equipped forthwith 
by order, &c. 

E[lijah] W[adsworth] 



Genl Elijah Wadsworth 

Sir, You will excuse the liberty which I now take 
in troubling you, at a time when you are too much occu- 
pied in aranging matters of the utmost consequence to 
the whole community, when you rightly understand the 
motives and reasons of my wrighting — Many of the citi- 
zens, as I am informed, of this vicinity are now out on a 
tour of duty as a guard at the mouth of the Grand River 
under an order from you. The reasons which induced 
you to make this arangement were, unquestionably such 
as led you to suppose the measure an advisable one, and 
would be for the safity of this settlement, in this un- 
happy situation of our Country — I have been applied to 
by almost the whole of the inhabitants of this township 
to interseed with you, for them to get themselves and 
their neighbours released from performing the tower of 
duty. I am well persuaded from everything which I 
can draw from them in getting their ideas, that it does 
not arive from a calculation or wish to be exempt from 
performing such duty as shall be required of them but 
from the peculiar situation of themselves and families 
and a belief that it will be attended with an expense to 
the publick and can be of no importance to the plan. 
It will be recollected by you that a large proportion of 
the Militia of this place are now at Huron as volunteers. 



60 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

after this 10 or 12 who have moved away thi'ough fear, 
then take the number required for the gard and you maj 
well suppose our number of laybouring men are few. 
The fact is our number are so reduced that several fam- 
ilies occupy the same house and much of the produce of 
this years groath is just waiting for want of care. You 
may well suppose that men accustomed to laybour feel 
very unpleasant to see their crops going to decay with- 
out the possibility of securing them. Yet you would 
not find one of them to request to be released, did they 
not think that they were imployed in doing that which 
is of no advantage to themselves or the Community. It 
will also be recollected that season for seeding is now 
come and every hour to the farmer is of more conse- 
quence to him than money and especially as laybour, at 
this time, can not be bought with money. I have thought 
of the thing much and on the most mature reflection 
must say that the interest of this plan would be greatly 
augmented in having those who are now employed at 
the mouth of the River dismissed. Under these im- 
pressions and in consequence of the very many and earn- 
est solicitations of those around me I have been induced 
to write what I have thinking that by possibility you 
might be induced to grant their request. 

I am Sir with respect and esteem 
Your Obdt Humble Servt 

Samuel W. Phelps. 
Painesville 10th Septr. A. D. 1812. 

Head Quarters Cleaveland Sept 16th 1812 

Mr. Commissary 

Sir Please to Deliver to Daniel Mulholland 
Thirty Six Rations of meat and flour for the support of 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 61 

himself his wife wife and Eight children four Days it 
having been Proven to me that he was a Lieutenant in 
the Militia of the Michigan Territory on duty in the 
Garrison at the River Raisen at the Time it was evacu- 
ated and his property was destroyed. 

E[lijah] W[adsworth] 
Sept. 16, 1812. 

Henryism. 

I detested Republican government, and filled thfe 
newspapers with essays against it. — Henry. 

And when these messengers of Hell come here, 
shall we not look at them? — Macon. 

From the Boston Centinel 
The Duty of the Northern States! 

In a letter from a gentleman in a neighboring state 
to his friend in Boston "You ask my opinion on a sub- 
ject which is so much talked of — a dissolution of the 
Union. On this subject I differ from my fellow-citi- 
zens generally, and therefore I ought to speak and write 
with diffidence. I have for many years considered the 
Union of the southern and northern states, as not essen- 
tial to the safety and very much oppossed to the inter- 
est of both sections. The extent of territory is too large 
to be harmoniously governed by the same representative 
body. A despotic prince, like the emperor of Russia, 
may govern a vdder extent of country, and numerous 
distinct nations; for his will controls their jealousies 
and discordant interests ; but when states having differ- 
ent interests are permitted to decide on those interests 
themselves, no harmony can be expected. The com- 
mercial and non-commercial states have views and inter- 



62 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

ests SO different, that I conceive it to be impossible that 
they can ever be satisfied with the same laws, and the 
same system of measures. I firmly believe that each 
section would be better satisfied to govern itself, and 
each is large and populous enough for its own protec- 
tion; especially as we have no powerful nations in our 
neighborhood. These observations are equally appli- 
cable to the western states, a large and distinct portion 
of the country, which would govern themselves better 
than the Atlantic states can govern them. That the At7 
lantic states do not want the aid or the strength or coun- 
cils of the western states is certain, and I believe the pub- 
lic welfare would be far better consulted and more pro-- 
moted in a separate than in a federal condition. The 
mountains form a natural line of division, and moral 
and commercial habits of the northern and middle states 
would unite the western people. In like manner the 
moral and commercial habits of the northern and middle 
states would link them together as would the like habits 
of the slave holding states. Indeed the attempt to 
unite this vast territory under one head, has long ap- 
peared to me absurd. I believe a peaceable separation 
would be for the happiness of all sections. But as the 
citizens of this country have generally been of a different 
opinion, it is best not to urge for a separation till they 
are convinced of their error. Let us make the best of 
the Union — till public evils shall reconcile all our citi- 
zens to a dissolution — an event that may be remote, but 
must be certain." 

[From the Trump of Fame.] 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 68 

Head Quarters Cleaveland Sept. 16th 1812. 

Mr. Commissary 

Sir Please to deliver to Reuben Lewis, a soldier, 
from the Michigan Territory on duty in the Garrison at 
the River Raisin, at the time it was evacuated, as has 
been proven to me, as also that his property has been 
destroyed at the above place, thirty two Rations of meat 
and flour for the support of himself his wife and seven 
children, for four Days. 

E[lijah] W[ADStvoRTH] Maj. Genl. 

Salisbury [Conn.,] Sep 17th 1812. 
Very Dear Brother: — 

I Reed, yours of August 22nd in which you inform 
me of your expected march to join the patriotic arms of 
your countrymen. Go and may the God of battles and 
the Guardian Angel of America shield you from injury 
and dishonor. The defeat of Hull is astonishing to all 
of us here, by some he is called coward, traitor, I form 
no opinion; if the ill success of his enterprise is to be 
imputed to the government let them bear the odium. I 
am some disposed to conjecture the administration will 
attempt to screen themselves by Censuring Hull, a very 
dastardly alternative if true. The truth is the adminis- 
tration of Maddison is too weak for War! We wait 
with patience till the Genius of a Christian shall watch 
over our armies and protect them from dishonor. 

In this State we have but little of the Amor Patriae 
that love of country and of glory which is felt by you. 
Our too flagrant predelection for the Mother of our re- 
ligion. Old England the unexpected course taken by 
our Executive with respect to our Militia is a complete 
damper upon Connecticut ardour. The war is extremely 



64 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

unpopular here so much so that our Mihtia could not be 
dragged to the field And when the direct tax is called 
for, I fear we shall see open resistence to authority. I 
do not much fear a civil war our Fedralists dare not risk 
their lives and properties on the fate of it. 

We have heard of the retaking of Detroit by our 
troops. I hope it is true. If it is not done it must be, 
for till then you can have no safety in your country. 
We have here no news of any kind of consiquence. 
Yesterday was our General review the regiment met in 
this town, the day was fine, the Regiment is in complete 
uniform and equippt perfectly, and had they the Love 
of country manifested by your militia much might be 
hoped from them. 

Captain Philo Nichols of Hudson died last week 
of a dropsy. I understand Mrs. Hammett is in town 
tho I have not seen her. Fathers family are well. In 
myself I am at present very unwell with a pain in the 
breast occasioned I believe by a sudden concussion in 
jumping off of waggons. I hope to recover soon. Have 
letters received in Huron I understand you are at Cleav- 
land in Camp ; continue to write to me every week dur- 
ing the present state of things in your Country. Fath- 
er feels a fathers anxiety concerning you. 

Your affectionate brother 

Samuel. 
[To] Ensign Church, Canfield, O. 

Camp Defiance 3 Miles West of Wooster 

Sept. 17th 1812. 
Dear General 

Your communication of the 15th instant I reed, 
this day and it is with pleasure that I can inform you 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 65 

that the report of Genl. Taylor's being killed, 1 belie\-e 
to be unfounded, but it is with extreme regret that 1 
have to inform you that on Tuesday last the Indians 
killed three men, wounded two men and one woman 
about three miles above Greentown, and eight miles east 
of Mansfield, (at the house of one Cobus) one Indian 
was killed and others wounded, the Indians retreated — 
the Indian killed was one of those who formerly lived at 
Greentown and was recognized on his way with the oth- 
ers (Indians) who were escorted through Mansfield to- 
wards the settlements for their protection — for want of 
the necessary supply of P^orage and provisions I have 
been compelled to halt at this place much against my 
will and I believe contrary to the wishes of every man 
now in Camp, who appear anxious to proceed. I strong- 
ly recommend to the quarter Master department to 
proceed to owl creek and the Mohekin settlements, which 
is within eighteen miles of the place of my intended des- 
tination to commence the erecting block houses — I of- 
fered to send a sufficient guard but the head of that de- 
partment considered it most proper to send back the 
waggons and teams to Jefferson and Columbiana Coun- 
ties for the supplies and has done so. I have sent de- 
tachments and stationed them as follows towit, one small 
company at Kinneys on Sugar Creek for the purpose of 
erecting a block house, and to range the woods, thi^ 
house will answer the double purpose of a deposite of 
provisions and a place of refuge for the inhabitants in 
time of danger. I have ordered a Picket and Bastions 
to be erected at Wooster and two Companies are sta- 
tioned for that purpose. I have detached Captn. Mur- 
ry and Company to Jaromestown, who is erecting a 
.Block house at that place eleven miles advance of this 
place, on the arrival of the news of the murder above 



66 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

stated I detached the troop and seventeen rille men to 
that settlement with orders for them to assist in erecting 
Block houses — I can assure you Sir, that had we not 
moved in the direction we have, I am confident that not 
a white family would at this day been west of the Tus- 
carawa, although we are rendering them all the protec- 
tion in our power and many of them are daily moving 
off, we all feel much gratified with the prospect of re- 
ceiving pecuniary aid Camp equipage and arms from 
the General government, the men I believe are not pre- 
pared with Clothing for the Winter, two days ago, I 
caused to be apprehended and Confined under guard a 
french man who was in possession of a pass from the 
Governor, also a Statement in writing addressed to 
Major Spafford at Cleveland giving information of our 
force at different places their movements and place of 
destination signed R. J. Meigs which is contrary to the 
Governors proclamation in pursuance of which I as a 
Military officer acted in the premises, believing it pos- 
sible that this fellow must have obtained them by some 
imdue means — there is also a frenchman by the name of 
Jarome married to an Indian squaw I have caused him 
to be confined for his safetj^ and our own security — I 
have caused scouts daily to range the woods for the dis- 
tance of from ten to twelve miles from this place in 
every direction, they have discovered no fresh signs of 
Indians — Spt. 18. last night an express arrived in camp 
that an Indian was seen within four miles of my camp 
and the settlement had fled to Wooster, this came by 
letter from the Revd. W. Jones of Wooster. I ordered 
out a subalterns command to take possession of the 
house of Judge Kimpton for the night and to examine 
early in the morning the neighbourhood around, and in 
case from appearances they had equal numbers to pur- 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 67 

sue and destroy them, but on the contrary to keep their 
ground and send Express to me — at the same time I 
have no confidence in the report I beheve them to be 
deserters who were sivulking about and steahng corn 
mitil, they have a better opportunity of returning home. 
I have continued in camp though frequently unwell es- 
pecially in cloudy or wet weather I feel every simptom 
of the ague in fact I feel at such times quite good for 
nothing — barely from the necessity of the case I have 
continued — and I feel much mortified that I could not 
accomplish the object I had in view towit the erecting 
block houses in the direction which Major Tappan and 
myself conversed on — from the deranged situation of 
my pubhc business at home and the Critical state of my 
health I hope the General will see the propriety of my 
returning home at least for a time, if not until my regu- 
lar tour of duty arrives and the proper command is in 
the field — in the meantime I shall continue with the de- 
tachment until we advance to Mansfield and commence 
the erecting Block houses when I expect to return home 
at the last attack I have reason to believe there were 
more than one Indian killed, at all events there were 
one left on the ground two Guns, a soldiers coat a hat 
an eagle and one white mans scalp in the cap — imme- 
diately after the action Colo. Bay who was stationed 
near Mansfield from Genl. Cass's Brigade moved in 
and is now near this place on his march to the interior — 
I have no control over him but have sent him and will 
advise him to return — it favours a retreat more than 
anything else — I have issued orders to Colo. Sloane to 
furnish his quarto of the second draft, they have not 
come on nor do I believe it's safe or necessary for them 
so to do until they are supplied with arms — rely upon 
it General I shall do everything in my power to aid the 



68 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

service, the enclosed is the present strength under my 
command. Colo. Bay I have seen and he is determined 
and has gone home to New Philadelphia with a part of 
his Detachment 

Sincerely your friend, 

R. Beall 

B. G. 
Major Genl. Wadsworth 

Camp Defiance three miles west of Wooster 

Sept. 20, 1812 
Dear Genl. 

If a fall or winter campaign is contemplated for 
the troops from my Brigade to encounter, it is essential 
that we should be prepared for it, Let us not deceive our- 
selves. I can assure you that in consequence of the 
sudden and unexpected call that there is not one man 
in twenty who has winter clothing with them. The idea 
was to repel invasion and protect the frontiers, until 
we would be relieved by the General Government with 
volunteers and regulars many of my detachment has no 
socks and a number entirely barefooted, all dressed in 
summer clothing, the Governor writes to me thus "you 
will at this important season of the year keep as few 
troops as possible in service, and those drawn principally 
from the interior of the country, and not from the fron- 
tier, considering it impolitic to set the inhabitants of the 
frontier to protect themselves" From this I infer that 
the United States will furnish troops for offensive oper- 
ations, taking in to view the great number that Ohio (I 
may say nearly all) furnished of the first army and the 
exposed situation of our frontier by the conduct of that 
scroundrel Hull, that the U. S. will expect nothing more 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 69 

from US at this time than to protect the frontiers, until 
they are ready with volunteers and regulars to penetrate 
into the enemy's country — these are my ideas, 1 believe 
them to be founded in justice and upon correct prin- 
ciples — I have received the strongest evidence that it has 
been the Greentown Indians who have done all the dam- 
age on the Mohekin waters, as a number of them who 
were in the last attack were well known and their names 
given by some of the whites who were in the action. T 
wish you to inform the Governor of this circumstance, 
and I would advice if he has the Greentown and otiier 
Indians in keeping, that he would cause a roll to be kept 
of the Warriors and their names regularly called, at 
least morning noon and evening. I have felt and still 
feel greatly mortified for want of supplies that I have 
been prevented from gaining the point of destination 
before this — but I hope I shall soon have it in my power 
to make a forward move — the Governor fully approves 
of the plans of erecting block houses as proposed — He 
informed the express that he would march his force to 
Sandusky and is undoubtedly now on his march — Gen- 
eral Taylor arrived safe at Head quarters the day Lieut. 
Scott left there — which I suppose determined the Gov- 
ernor to move — I have detached from my Command the 
troop of Horse and a part of a Company of rifle men to 
the Clear fork of Mohekin — two companies to Jaronies- 
town, they are erecting Block houses, and at the same 
time scouting parties sent from each — one small com- 
pany at Kinney's station eleven miles East of Wooster 
on Sugar Creek and two Companies at Wooster for the 
like purposes — Col. Williams with a small force from 
General Cass's Brigade is stationed at Mansfield, — the 
remainder of Bay's detachment at Beams Mill three 
miles east of Mansfield on the Black fork of ^lohekin — 



70 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

and Col. Kratzer ten or twelve miles north of Mans- 
field on or near the Huron road — I am Dear Genl. your 
Obt. &c 

Servt. 
Reasin Beall^ 

B. Genl. 
Gen. Wadsworth. 



Camp at Avery^ 

Sept 28, 1812. 

Maj. Gen. Wadsworth^ 

Siii On the 26th Inst, we informed you by letter, 
that previous to the arrival of your dispatches Majr. 
Frazer had been detached on command to Sandusky — 
By a hasty letter received from him last evening, he in- 
forms us that he had arrived at that place — that his men 
were all in good health and spirits — that he had found 
property to considerable amount. Cornfields belonging 
to the Indians extensive, a great many fat hogs &c. He 
earnestly requests permission to make it a post; he 
thinks it well calculated for that purpose. That the 
blockhouse and stockades are in good condition &c. and 
has desired that the request might be made to you. Capt. 
Hutchins who was with Majr. Frazer makes the fol- 
lowing statement of the property found there viz 80 bbs 
of salt 12 do of fish 3 do. of flour. 3 do wheat several do 
of pork 200 lbs. Iron, a set of Gunsmith's tools, and that 
the men are continually bringing in farming tools house- 
hold furniture &c. In the Indian houses they found a 
considerable quantity of dry corn, and beans and con- 
siderable other property. We shall use every exertion 
in carrying your former commands into execution, while 
we anxiously wait for your determination on this sub- 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 71 

ject and in the meantime earnestly join in the request 
made by Ma jr. Frazer Our situation in camp is much 
as it was when we wrote last. The report concerning 
the Gun boat appears to have been false. 
With high considerations of 

Esteem I remain your most obt 

J. Shannon M. Com. 



Pittsburgh 28th Sept. 1812. 
Sir 

I shall in a few days dispatch to you some powder, 
flints &c — I am fearful, that you wiU be in want of them. 

News have reached us, that 200 English, and a 
large body of Indians left Detroit very recently to at- 
tack Fort Wayne, and Fort Harrison on the Wabach — 
and that Maiden is almost destitute of Troops. If this 
story be correct you have a fine opportunity of falling 
in behind the enemy, and perhaps of taking Detroit and 
Maiden. I merely suggest these hints for your con- 
sideration — and am. Sir, in haste, your very Huml Servt 

Amos Stoddard, maj. 

corps of Artillarists 
Genl. Wadsworth. 



Clea\t:land O. Sept. 30, 1812. 

Maj. Genl. Wadsworth 

Sir One half the arms sent to this place for the 
purpose of arming the drafts of the Militia from Genl. 
Paine's Brigade are totaly unfit for service — and the re- 
maining half will with difficulty be made to answer the 



72 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

purpose — In short the detachment who in consequence 
of the late alarming inteligence from Huron are ordered 
on there can feel no confidence in themselves on account 
of their arms and accoutrements — We have no flints fit 
for use. The Inhabitants here consider themselves in 
a verry defenseless situation — and are anxious either to 
have a body of Armed men sent on this way or a quan- 
tity of o-ood arms and accoutrements sent on to this 
place to enable the inhabitants to defend themselves in 
case of necessity — As most of our Soldiers and all the 
arms fit for use are gone from here — But ninety of the 
drafts have as yet arrived here, and Start for huron 
immediately — We understand there are but one hun- 
dred men in Camp at Huron fit for service. 

Your Humble Servt. 

Gaius Pease Brig. Maj. 

Brig. Genl. Simon Perkins 

Sir This moment I had the misfortune to learn 
by an express from you, that our brave Citizens 
who are Stationed to the westward, are in rath- 
er precarious situation, to remedy the evils that ap- 
pears to surround them, I shall forward on from this 
place all the men that can be fitted for duty immedi- 
ately, the Detachment under the command of Genl. Bill 
will be on as soon as possible, likewise all the odd Battal- 
ion, a part of which will be mounted on Horse back, 
these forces united I trust will be sufficient to ensure to 
us the possession of the Station at Huron — 

Respectfully, 
Elijah Wadsworth 

Maj. Genl. 
4 Div. O. M. 
Head Quarters Camn Portage 30th Sept. 1812 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 73 

Pittsburgh Oct. 2n(l 10 oclock at night 
Dear Genl, 

Having now a little leasure I thought I might as 
well employ a few minutes with you before I retire as 
not — I have since writing to you this morning formed 
an acquaintance wuth a Genl. Duboise who says he is 
acquainted, and served with you in the revolution, I 
find him agreeable and communicative — he has now a 
Brigadier's Comd. in our Western Army — And is anx- 
ious to have the detachment of 2000 here to march and 
join you at Portage with the whole of the Artillery 
Amounting to upward of sixty pieces from Six to thirty 
two pounders, all of which was laid of by him before he 
left Washington City, and is under the command of 
Major Ball, Who is also here — I am using my influence 
to bring them by the way of Portage because I really 
think it practicable and the most prudent rout — I meet 
with opposition by some of the persons living here, and 
Major Stoddard is not yet convinced that it is the best 
rout, I wish I was acquainted with the road from Port- 
age to the rapids of Miami, if they could be convinced 
that, that road was any how possible, that would be the 
rout — however the Ajt. Genl. of this State and Major 
Duboise is very Solicitous that the troops should join 
you and tomorrow at nine o'clock we are to obtain a map 
and ascertain the situation and distance which is to de- 
termine the distiny of this army Which will not be ready 
to march from here before the middle or last of next 
week owing to several circumstances. Camp equipage is 
not ready, And they have to go into an election of Of- 
ficers which will not be before monday at nearest — 
those regulations will retard the progress the troops — 

Mr. Stoddard and myself have pin-chased a Horse 
and have sent him on to you, it is the best in our opin- 



74 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

ions we could do for you, I hope he may serve youi 
purpose — I dont expect to be able to leave here before 
Monday It takes considerable time to put up and send 
on the war munitions. 

Your orders were honoured in my favour without 
difficulty, Major Stoddard indorsed them to the Depty. 
Qar. Master and he gave me a check on the Bank for 
the Amt — 

I have the Honour to be with high esteem 
Yours very respectfully 

Lieut. David Clendenin. 

N. B. If an opportunity offers I should be glad 
to hear the particulars of our unfortunate little army at 
Sandusky. D. C. 

Since writing the above letter we have reed, infor- 
mation from som Jentleman of Genl. Halls army now 
here, that the road from Sandusky to the rapids of 
Miami is impossible for Heavy Teams, which will de- 
termine the rout of those troops and Artillery some 
other course it is now spoken of by the way of Zanes- 
ville. I am in hopes to get the Whole of your requisi- 
tion filled by remaining here a few days, as war muni- 
tions are constantly arriving. 

D. C. 

I have little doubt of being able to obtain what 
mone}^ you may please to order. 

Head Quarters Portage 

Oct. 4th 1812 
Majr. Stodard 

Sir Your letter of 28th Ulto. is before me have 
noticed the contents part of the Arms amunition and 
have arived but not a flint have we in camp nor even in 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 75 

some of those arms sent forward some of which I have 
sent forward to arm a detacliment at Cleveland I have 
copied a sentence from the inspector at that place which 
will acquaint you with situation of the arms which have 
been forwarded to me viz "one half of the arms sent to 
this place for the purpose of arming the drafts from Gen 
Paynes Brigade are totaly unfit for service and the re- 
maining half will with dificulty be mad to answer the 
purpose" this is the case with a great part of the old 
arms marked to be fit for use which are a very consider- 
able part of those yet reed; You will readily see n^y 
present situation not very formidable to make an at- 
tack on Detroit or Maiden by my present calculation 
find 300 stands of Arms will be wanting to complet my 
detachment and wish they may be forwarded as soon 
as possible. The front post of my detachment is kept 
at Huron now under command of Gen. Perkins 93 men 
were sent a few days ago on the Peninsula they had an 
engagement with a party of Indians in which we had six 
men kild and ten wounded. The Indians are driven 
from the Peninsula with loss. We are much in want 
of Steel to repair tools for the Artificers also files are 
much wanted be so good as to forward some. 

E[lijah] W[adsworth] 



Camp Huron 5th Oct. 1812 
Major Genl. Elijah Wadsworth 
Dear Sir: — 
I arrived here last night between eight and nine 
with all the men except five which were left in the rear 
with the light waggon, we were all much fatigued and 
several sick our march was much procrastinated by wait- 
ing for the pack horses which was expected — to follow 



76 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

US with provisions &c on our march about twenty five 
miles from camp several rifles (say 8 or 10) were dis- 
tinctly heard, and were supposed to be within one mile 
of us, this firing was thought by Williams to be on the 
head waters Chipawa and to proceed from Ind's. our 
men were made ready to pursue them the rifle men with 
Sergeant Johnston and Williams at their head went for 
the purpose of commencing an attack, some time was 
spent in viewing the best ground to answer our purpose 
if we were to enter into an engagement I mention this 
for the purpose of accounting to you for the time spent 
on the march, this affair ended without any discovery 
being made of any Indians or of what is termed any 
signs of them. On Friday morning I forwarded de- 
spatches to Gen'l. Perkins by Capt. Hutching and Lieu- 
tenant Tanner, informing him of our being on the 
march &c and wishing him to send to me some person 
well acquainted with the ground about the camp, to 
assist us to make the best of an approach if he shou'd 
be besieged on Saturday the two draggoons, left us for 
Huron to request Genl. Perkins to forward, on 100 ra- 
tions our men having eaten to a mere bite their provis- 
ions, all of us were not in possession of 3 lb. bread and 
without one ounce of meat between Saturday morning- 
and half past three oclock on Sunday morning, this 
bread was however equally divided among us, at this 
time we were brot to the necessity of thinking of killintr 
one our best Horses the thought was painful to me as the 
animal had rendered us much services — at this time we 
were within six miles of Huron and within a short dis- 
tance of a house we concluded to proceed on in hopes of 
procuring potatoes and to save the Horse — We proceed- 
ed on but a short distance and were met by one of our 
faithful troopers by the name of Wm. Sprague with 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 77 

provisions and giving us information that all was well at 
Camp and that the affair at the Peninsula was of far 
less import than was calculated on — 1 cannot undertake 
to discribe that which I felt within my self or discovered 
in the countenances of others that a minute before think- 
ing of stabing to the heart an useful animal, and filling 
our knapsacks with his flesh and without salt or bread 
to advance, on our enimies whose distance from us or 
numbers unknown — The men on Friday evening after 
a march until dark, throng a storm of the greatest fall of 
rain for half of the day 1 scarce ever knew rolled them- 
selves in their blankets which were as wet as if they had 
been diped in a tub of water and stretched themselves 
with apparent composure on the ground, without any- 
thing else to cover them — they have done all with pleas- 
ure — they are worthy of the name of soldiers — On Sat- 
urday morning the arms, in spite of the greatest care, 
reed, so much water that their charges were in a great 
measure dissolved — they had to prick in powder and 
discharge them — we could not spend time to unbreech 
them all — at which time my mare broke loose and made 
her escape, I proceeded on foot, I wish you to be good 
enough to see that some enquire is made for her, I am 
in hopes she will return to Head quarters — 

This place wares the appearance of Cleveland — 
Excuse erasures and interlineations as I have no place 
to write and have, to borrow a dip out of a half Doz 
Different Ink Stands, in much haste — But believe me 
to be yours in freedom fervancy and Zeal. — 

W. W. COTGREA^^ Maj. 



78 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

Camp at Vermilion River. Oct 7th, 1812 
Elijah Wausavorth Esq., 

^lajor Genl. 4th Division 
Sib 

We have proceeded on our march to this place^ 
There has been no remarkable occurence except on the 
evening of the 5th one man accidentally cut off two of 
his fingers and the morning of the following Discharged 
With regard to the to the Road and Bridges Capt. Col- 
lier has had daily Six men and a corporal who have cut 
the timber out of the Road and Cleared it and the Road 
is passable though not good. 

yesterday morning in addition to the usual number 
Lieut. Hamilton and 20 men were detached to go to 
Black River to prepare for Bridgeing the River when 
Collier arrived with the Detachment. The situation of 
the Banks ware such and the width of the stream so 
great that he hesitated and when I had arrived and 
viewed the place I found the object to be beyond my 
power to accomplish with the provision and tools which 
we had. It being the opinion of Capt. Collier that it 
would employ the whole detachment five Days it was 
then considered that other Streames wanted Bridgeing 
as much as that and the whole was more than was calcu- 
lated and it was Likewise considered that teames miffht 
as well pass at present without bridging as they could 
pass other places without Bridging, and if the army 
must pass this way after high water it would even in 
that case be cheaper to build something to float across 
a detachment and field pieces then to Bridge that and 
other Streames which want it equally as much as Black 
River. This River would cost nearly or quite as much 
to Bridge it as it would Black River and it wants it as 
much and there are other Streams which wants it equally 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 79 

as much as Black liiver and there are Small Streames 
which at present are quite as Bad or worse to cross than 
Black River and making an estimate I think it would 
cost one thousand Dollars to Bridge and make the Road 
passable when it is high water to this place, 
with Respect I am your humble Servt. 

George Darrow. 



Head Quarters, 
Rocky River Oct. 18, 1812. 
Lieut. Clendenen 
Sir, 

You will be very particular and bring forward all 
the articles contained in your last bill, If any articles 
must be left for want of teams, it will be the pig Lead, 
calculating 1000 lbs for two pair of oxen — ox teams 
will be preferable — each team will carry half a bushel 
of corn ears for each ox pr day — perhaps you had better 
estimate 7 Days allowance of corn, weighing 40 lbs pr 
bushel, 14 bushels will be 560 lbs to be aded to the load 
total 1560 lb which I believe will be a sufficient load to 
go through this road you will procure extra teams to 
bring on those sacks filled with oats which are in the 
store you are not however to detain for bringing on the 
oats, except two or three load, which may be necessary 
— you will also bring forward all the cartriges and bar 
Iron which remain in the store at the Portage 

Capt. Nimmor will march on with his Company as 
a guard to the waggons, and in case the quarter master 
has not done it you will provide A team to hawl the 
baggage of his company you will provide A number of 
teams, sufficient by pressing the same in case they can 
not be procured otherwise. 

E[lijah1 W[adsworth] 



80 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

Salisbury [Conn.J Oct. 27, 1812. 

My Dear Brother. 

Yours of the 8th Inst is now before me received 
this day. Altho our mail does not return from here un- 
till Saturday 1 am impatient to write you, not that I 
have any news to communicate, but that when my pen 
is employed in corresponding I fancy I converse with 
you face to face. I regret extremely that your family is 
left alone and unassisted in your absence and hope Jeru- 
sha and her little babes will welcome your return to 
them again shortly. When I am writing you a Soldier 
contesting the rights and freedom of your country I 
confess myself ashamed, not ashamed of my principles 
or of my feelings but ashamed that I live under a gov- 
ernment that restrains the ardent feelings of so many of 
its citizens. Do not imagine Connecticut people are all 
indifferent to their country's honor, all congratulate 
them. . . .that you are fighting her battles; No many 
very many feel warm in the cause and ready to spill their 
blood for their country, but what can we do, our gov- 
ernment restrain and we must abide the consequence. 
News of a defeat excites a sarcastic smile on the face 
of our opponents, this provoking usage often promts 
me to insult, tho I restrain myself as well as possible. 
Many even of my own friends think me wild and en- 
thusiastic in my notions. But I verily believe however 
wild the notion that you and I are soon to be enemies 
our countries are to become separate, and we and our 
descendants are to mingle their hands in each others 
blood. This has long been my conviction, and it is con- 
firmed by a late endeavour of our legislature now in ses- 
sion A Bill before the house authorizing the raising 
6 Kegts. to serve this state during the war, to be raised 
bv enlistment and paid by the state!! For what purpose 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 81 

is this? are not our militia as well trained as any mi- 
litia, and do they not love their own homes and their 
own property sufficiently well to defend them if neces- 
sary. Unquestionably. Why then raise a body of reg- 
ular troops unless there are too many in the Militia de- 
termined to live or die by our Constitution, and upon 
whom our state rulers can place no dependence in case 
a severance of the union is to be effected by force. 

Oct. 30th 

Yesterday Nathaniel was here to whom I gave 
your last letter to hand to father. 

Since I began my letter we have received news of 
the death of Gov Griswold he died at Norwich on Sun- 
day last, we shall probably have .John C. Smith in his 
stead. It was a long time feared that Massachusetts 
would have no electors for President, it is however de- 
sided to choose electors by districts made up of the Cir- 
cuits of the Court of Common Pleas; a majority will 
be Clintonian without any question. A report was in 
circulation a few days ago from a letter of Chs. B. Fitch 
to his brother here that Gen. Harrison had defeated the 
Indians with the slaughter of 1000, what inducement 
he could have to write thus I know not; as you do not 
mention it nor is it mentioned in the Warren paper 
of the 14th Inst. You have ere this heard of the defeat 
of our troops at Queenstown. I hope we shall not 
hear such accounts from Gen. Harrisons army. Bvit 
affairs are so miserably managed at the seat of Govern- 
ment that we need not be surprised at defeat and dis- 
honor. When this letter arrive at Canfield you will 
probably be at Detroit or on your return, I think if 
anything is done it must be done soon. I am surprised 



82 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

that no one is left at home by you to take care of your 
business in your absence. We were informed by Henry 
Chittenden that a Mr. Wright was left by you to take 
care in your absence tho your absence must be very 
disagreeable to Jerusha yet the idea of your performing 
a sacred duty to your Country and that your exertions 
are to save her and her babes from Indian and British 
Massacre will lighten the burden of absence and wel- 
come your return with increased joy. Nothing need be 
expected from Connecticut as a state in this war, but 
the bounty of individuals I hope will tend to soften the 
rigors of the winter upon the Soldier. 

You speak of Fathers sending one of the boys to 
you, I have not heard anything of this kind spoken of 
and indeed do not know how it could be done. Leman 
is so given to study that he is not worth a cent to work, 
he is now at school in Sharon, John is the very best 
of boys and fathers dependence, as he has no hired man 
at all. Daniel cant work and tho Walter [?] and 
Frederick are good boys yet they are too young fer 
you. Father wished me to inclose 25 dollars to you 
for his taxes but I thot as you would probably be at 
Detroit it would be unsafe. If Jerusha opens this Let- 
ter before you do she can read our Love to her and her 
babes. We are in good health as are the people gener- 
ally in this place. Mrs. Hammet has been in our neigh- 
borhood but did not call upon us. 

Do write every week, as anxiety is upon the tiptoe 
concerning you and the army of the west and will be 
until Detroit is rescued from the Indians. Father sends 
for letters every mail. Yours, 

S. Church. 

Ensign Church. Canfield, Ohio. 



»> » 



(< 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 83 

Huron Nov. 5, 1812. 
United States 

To John Hays Dr. 

For one pair oxen and chain Ds 60.00 

One waggon 80.00 

.1 \d four horses with geers 

&e comphte 400.00 

thousand bushels of corn at 30 

cts per bushel 300.00 

Ds 840.00 

Kecd. of Lt. Ensign Church asst. Depy Qr. Master 
Eight hundred and forty dollars in full of the above 
acct. — Duplicates. 

John Hays. 



Huron Nov. 7th 1812 
United States 

To Henry Hoge Dr. 

For hauling Hay five days from the 1st to the 
5th Nov. both days included at four dol- 
lars per day Ds. 20.00 

For hauling straw from the 20th to the 31st 
Oct. 1812— both days included. Twelve 
days at Four dollars per day 48.00 



Ds. 68.00 



Reed, of Lt. Ensign Church asst. Depy Qr Master 
the above acct in full — Duplicates. 

Henry Hoge, 



84 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

Head Quaeters, Huron River Nov. 9th 1812 
Brig. Gen. Perkins 

Sir ; It is my duty to state to you that it will be out 
of the power of the contractor to furnish the number of 
rations required by Gen. Harrison. 

As there had been considerable quantities of pro- 
visions deposited at Sanduskey, Miami, River Raison 
and Detroit for the supply of the army and as these pro- 
visions have fallen into the hands of the enemy in con- 
sequence of the capitulation by Gn. Hull and as the 
contractor has not received any notice from the War 
Department, for any further supplies, he does not con- 
sider himself bound to furnish them. 

He feels confident that a concurrence of circum- 
stances which renders it impossible (at this late season) 
to comply with the requisitions will justify this con- 
struction of the contract. The navigation of the lake 
which had heretofore been employed in transporting 
provisions to the army has for several months past been 
exclusively in possession of the enemy except for small 
boats. 

The ports require to be supplied have been for sev- 
eral months and still continue in possession of the enemy, 
surrounded by an wilderness on one hand and a deso- 
lated country on the other. My instructions from the 
contractor seem to be dictated from a full consideration 
of all these circumstances. It would be beyond my in- 
structions to attempt to supply the army at Sanduskey 
or any place beyond. 

I will however on behalf of the contractor continue 
to furnish such quantity of provisions as may be in my 
power, to be delivered in bulk after the army leaves this 
place the public payinpi' the expense of transportatior 
of flour and whiskey after it passes Cleaveland and this 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 85 

I will continue to do untill otherwise instructed. In 
order to give you the best idea in my power of the situa- 
tion of quantity of flour and wliiskey we have on hand 
I will state that there are in camp say of flour 100 Bbls 

On board of Boats Whiskey and flour 390 

At *Erie by best estimation 400 

On Board of boats Whiskey and flour 390 

The flour and whiskey in boats may be expected 
shortly, at least the greater part of it. In this case it 
may possible that they may make another trip to Erie, 
this fall if the weather should continue warm. Of meat 
we have enough. I am sir respectfully 

your obedient Serv. 
For the Contractor 

Samuel Tupper. 
*Presque Isle 

Huron Nov. 10, 1812. 
United States 

To John James Dr. 
For Ten days riding as express from Huron 
to Pittsburg, commencing the 1st and 
Ending the 10th Nov. 1812, both days 

included at $l|^ per day Ds 15.00 

Reed, of Lt. Ensign Church asst. Depy Qr Master 
the above acct in full. 

Duplicates 

John James. 

Huron, Dec. 2, 1812. 
Maj. George Darrow 

Sir, Two boats carrying 100 Bbls. have just 
arrived at the mouth of Huron, and I am in hopes that 



86 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

in future that a good supply of provisions will be con- 
stantly on hand. I am informed that two boats sup- 
posed from the islands came this afternoon into the 
mouth of the Sanduskey Bay; but whether for plunder 
or some other purpose it is not known. You will do 
well to be on your guard and there is supposed to be 
Indians at Miami, you must be cautious to prevent a 
surprise. It is of much importance to have the corn 
gathered as expeditiously as possible, and put where it 
will be secured. The Store House will be also soon be 
very much wanted and must be compleated if it is not 
already done as soon as possible. I have a letter from 
Gen Harrison in which he informs me that he has great 
expectation from us and in order that we deserve well 
it is necessary that we perform well, and I hope no 
officer or soldier will forget that he is bound by every 
consideration of honor and fame to be vigilant and faith- 
ful in performing the many duties that must necessarily 
devolve on them in making the necessary arrangements 
for the campaign. You will please to order to this 
place all the teams that you can part with, retaining 
enough to go on with the work in which you are en- 
gaged. Another regiment will march on as soon as it 
can be prepared. 

It is possible that Gen. Harrison may send you a 
number of Pack horses loaded with flour. If he does 
you must find some method of securing it as I conclude 
that the packers will be in want of their kegs or bags 
to take back return. I can not close this without again 
reminding you of the necessity of making every reason- 
able effort to secure the corn and to build the store 
house and also to get the blacksmith at work. Chains 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 87 

you kiiow are very much wanted and there is a plenty of 
corn at your command. 

I am yours &c 

Simon Perkins 



Pipe Ceeek, Dec. 11, 1812. 

Lieutenant Church, 

Sir, 

I have a letter from Gen. Harrison which accom- 
panied the flour that has arrived at Sandusky and find 
that it is not intended for our use at this time except 
from necessity. 

Will therefore wish to have a number of teams 
loaded with flour as well as salt — I also find that salt 
will not be required so soon as I thought when I left 
you — perhaps you will by conversing with Major Doty 
determine what quantity of flour can be spared from 
your camp and you can load one half the teams with 
flour and the other with salt. 

It will be a good arrangement, but of which you 
will do as you may think best and I will be satisfied. I 
have written to Mr. Austin to receive a receipt of you 
for the thousand dollars which I paid you last it was by 
us forgotton. 

It will be very necessary to have your oxen shod. 
I spoke to Col. Andrews to furnish coal which he said 
should be done. If you have any use for Captain 
Collier, you will call on him perhaps he will be useful 
in obtaining the coal. If Capt. Robinson should not be 
gone it would be well to send to Mr. Biddle at Cleave- 
land 200 lb. iron to shoe his oxen. He has no iron. 

A sett of Coopers tools must be forwarded to San- 
dusky if they can be purchased and I believe they may 



88 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

be had of Mr. Sprague or Bushnell at the mouth of 
Huron. Mr. Cloud a man who belongs to Parkers 
Company now at work for Fleming must come on. 

Simon Perkins. 



Sandusky, Dec. 12, 1812. 
Dear Sir, 

This will be handed you by Lieutenant Clendenin 
who will also present you with my monthly report for 
November. I feel mortified to inform you that I am 
now at Sandusky with only one regiment. The delay 
has been unavoidable, a constant scarcity of provisions 
has prevented my progressing faster. The business of 
boating has been much less useful to us than was ex- 
pected, the season boisterious and the weather remark- 
ably cold for the time, and the contractor not furnishing 
teams I have been under the Necessity of occupying my 
time in procuring supplies, which has prevented my 
progressing to the West as has been expected. 

But of my situation generally Lieut. Clendenin 
will be able to give such information as may be neces- 
sary. In order to build the stores necessary for the 
reception of provisions I have ordered the boat builders 
from Huron or so many of them as can leave the busi- 
ness there without injury to the work they are engaged 
in. I have been and now am very destitute of the tools 
necessary to do any work. Axes which have been re- 
ceived from Pittsburgh and in which I had made my 
reliance prove to be entirely unfit for use and we have 
not any that are good except some that were purchased 
for the first detachment that were called out, and they 
are not one third the number required; and my black- 
smiths have been unable to repair the bad axes. Tlie 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 89 

money furnished by Capt. Piatt is all applied to the 
purchase of teams and forage and i should have called 
on him for more, but being informed that he was with 
you you will please to direct clothing and blankets are 
much wanted and 1 have flattered my men that they 
could be supplied when the Pensylvania arived at Upper 
Sandusky. Will that be realized. 

General Wadsworth applied to the secretary at 
war to appoint a paymaster for this detachment and was 
informed that it should be done but we do not receive 
any money, and the men grow uneasy for the want of 
it, many are poor and are in need of their wages to sub- 
sist their families at home. If you could give me any 
information on the subject it might be useful. I have 
a letter from S. Tupper the contractors agent who says 
that your proposition in regard to provisions is accepted 
he is not now in camp and has not been since I reed your 
letter, but is daily expected. 

You will please recollect that I mentioned to you 
while at Huron that my business at home required my 
attention a few days the present month, it is of vast 
importance to me that I should be permitted to go 
home and if I do must probably be absent 18 or 20 
days and shall endeavor to leave the business here so 
that it shall not suffer by my absence. My staff will 
remain here and everything shall be arranged as far as 
I am able to the best advantage. On this subject you 
will much oblige me by giving me your particular advise 
and permission. 

Lieut. Clendenin will be able generally to inform 
you of the situation of this detachment, of my means 
to effect the object of the campaign and any communi- 
cations that he may make you may rely on. 



90 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

Capt. Stidger a very valuable oflicer commands an 
independent company in this detachment and feels that 
liis men are subject to greater privation than the com- 
panies in general and to satisfy his men pleads a dis- 
charge for a part or all of them; the cause assigne4 is 
that the men in his company are called out in mass and 
that no men are left in the neighborhood and their fami- 
lies are destitute of the needed supply and I should 
prefer that something should be done for his accommo- 
dation [rather?] than to have them discharged. 

Simon Peekins B. Gen. 

If they could have their money I think they 
would be satisfied but do not apprehend any dangerous. 
Capt. S. will write himself. 

Wednesday^ Dec. 16. 
We present our readers a short itinerary of the 
road from Pittsburgh by the way of this place and 
Cleaveland, to Detroit, together with a few descriptive 
remarks upon the country through which it passes. 
This road is several hundred miles higher than to go 
down the river Ohio and pass up through the western 
part of this State. When we consider the conveniencies 
of bridges and ferries on this road, it is preferable to 
any other through the state. Until the traveller arrives 
at Sandusky rapids, he will every few miles find all the 
accommodations usually attendant upon civilized life, 
in a new settlement. Before the disaster of gen. Hull, 
he might have lodged every night during his journey, 
from Pittsburgh to Detroit, under the hospitable roof 
of civilization. Every stream that can not be forded 
even in the winter season, has now either a bridge or a 
ferry across it, until we arrive at the IVIiami of the 



Correspondence Relating to War of 181:2 91 

lake. Previous to our late disasters in the Michigan 
territory there was a flourishing settlement at the cross- 
ings of this river near the spot where gen. Wayne in 
August '94, defeated the Indians. A coflector of the 
customs was resident here, who, it was said collected a 
larger share of the pubhc revenue, than any other col- 
lector on the shore of lake Erie. There was also at the 
river Raisin a flourishing settlement of whites both of 
French and English descent, scattered along on both 
sides of the river for several miles up. The principal 
settlement on this river, commenced about four miles 
from Lake Erie, at the flrst rapid. 

Brownstown is an Indian village, situated a mile 
above lake Erie, at the first rapid. After the traveller 
leaves Cleaveland, he may, if he please, travel on the 
dry sandy beach of lake Erie, for a considerable part of 
the way to Sandusky. Through what is improperly 
called the Miami Swamp, the country is flat, but not 
more so, than the road from Urbana, to Detroit. The 
traveller is here subjected to travel a distance of one 
hundred and forty miles, without the appearance of a 
dwelling of civilized man, except it be occasionally a 
block-house, until he falls into the road from Pittsburgh 
at the rapids of the Miami. We have put down the 
names of some of the principal stages from Pittsburgh 
to Detroit, the distances of those places from each other, 
and from Pittsburgh : and the names of some of the inn- 
keepers on the rout. In some instances we have put 
down the names of persons, who have abandoned their 
homes since the war, but who were parmanent settlers 
and will return as soon as our government shall resume 
its authority in the Michigan territory. We have men- 
tioned no names of persons as resident at any place 



92 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 



this side of Sandusky, river who are not now actually 
residing at those places. 

Inkeep 



Pittsburgh to Miles 

Beaver 28 

Greersburgh 12 

Poland, Ohio 20 

Youngstown 6 

Liberty 5 

Warren 7 

Nelson 14 

Aurora 10 

Cleaveland Mills 20 

Cleaveland Shore of Lake Erie 6 

Rocky River 7 

Dover 6 

Black River 14 

Vermilion River 10 

Huron 20 

Rapids of Sandusky 36 

Rapids of Miami 34 

Raisin River 28 

Brownstown 18 

Detroit 18 



W. dis. 

28 
40 
60 

66 

71 
78 
92 

102 
122 

128 

135 
141 
155 
165 
185 
221 
255 
2S3 
301 
319 



Kirtland 
j Rayne 8c 
I Hillman 

Adams 

Garret 
( Sheldon 
J Bissel 

Miles 
( Carter 
I Wallace 

Taylor 
Reed 
Sturges 
Sprague 

Spafford 
Godfrey 



[From the Trump of Fame.] 

[Dec. 22 or 23, 1812.] 
Gen. Harrison 

Sir I wrote you a few days since that I had sent 
a scout to the Miami Rapids they have just returned. 
No men of any description at that place. All the corn 
that grew there this year is now safe and is certainly 
(as Capt. Dull says) from six to ten thousand bushels. 
Captn. Dull the Officer of the scout is a man of judg- 
ment and his reports may be relied on he says he went 
through the fields and in that wav formed the estimates 
I have sent to inquire after the corn that you mentioned 
to me and agreed to take it have a party to start tomor- 
row morning to gather it, but as I think my men may be 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 yn 

better employed in a different way shall therefore not 
now send them there, until I hear from you. If 1 am di- 
rected I will with my Brigade see Miami in 14 days and 
stay there. The buildings at that place are all burnt. 
Fifteen men will be sufficient to gather and secure 
Spicers Corn and I hope you will not think I do wrong 
to wait, your further orders before I send them. I 
have informed him that I shall depend on it and that 
he must keep the cattle out of it The price for the 
whole is $250. I am sir most respectfully your 

very Humble Servt 

Simon Perkins. 



Lower Sandusky 

Dec. 23rd, 1812 
Since writing the foregoing Captn. Stigger pro- 
poses to be the bearer and I introduce him to you as 
one of the most valuable officers under your command. 

I am sir 

Simon Perkins. 



Lower Sandusky Dec 24th 1812 

I have but a moment to write you my dear wife, 
and inform you of my being in good health. The place 
where we are stationed is beautiful. I have been up 
the River 13 Miles, and for that distance better land 
than I ever saw elsewhere. There are several Indian 
villages, in that distance, containing from 15 to 20 huts 
which are now deserted. They were formerly inhabited 
by what are called friendly Indians, who are now many 
of them at Upper Sandusky who belonged to the Wian- 



94 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

dot Tribe. Those belonging to the Seneca Nation have 
gone back to Niagara. 

A scout returned yesterday from the Miami Rap- 
ids. They report that there are no Indians or British 
at that place, nor have there been since the fall of the 
Snow. We shall probably move on there in a few weeks. 
The Pennsylvania Troop have in part arrived at Upper 
Sandusky and the rest expected soon. The Drums are 
now beating and I have to attend to the guards. 

My Love to our Dear Children and all Friends. 
From Yours Affectionately, 

Elisha Whittlesey. 
^Irs. Polly Whittlesey. ^ 

Sandusky 1st Jany. 1813. 
Revered Sir 

As I esteem it an indespensible duty of my own, 
not only as to the good understanding that has ever 
existed between us, but particularly on account of your 
advanced age, and the anxiety, that I am sensible you 
undergo, concerning the situation of our Country, and 
particularly, respecting the situation of this part of the 
army, induces me to write you, not knowing however 
the reception this letter may meet with, still hoping it 
may be a favourable one. The movement of our army 
is very slow and I am fearful that our time will expire 
before the much wished for object is accomplished. True 
it is that my best wishes are for the good of my country 
and my little family, and was it not for my family my 
present impressions are that I could freely spend my 
time for the good of the community at large The 
troops are generally in good health, and anxious to go 
on, Our pay master makes but slow progress in paying 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 95 

off the troops, he was at this place when I came here, 
but has paid no money yet, and probably will not this 
two weeks to come, the business that I am engaged in is 
perplexing and I am fearfull will involve me in trouble 
before I get through with it, Genl. Harrison is ex- 
pected here in a few days and I am in hopes that we 
shall then take up a line of march for the westward, we 
have commenced cutting the road through the Maumee 
Swamp which will probably take 12 or 14 days, and I 
was in great hopes that we should be the first to arrive 
at the Rapids, but by a letter reed, by Mr. Huntington 
this evening from upper Sandusky, it appears that 
Genl. Winchester is on his march for that place and will 
undoubtedly arrive there in the course of a few days. 
We have had scouts out to the rapids who report that 
there is a great plenty of Corn at that place and nothing 
there to disturb it, that being the case it will greatly ex- 
pedite our march to Detroit; although the time that we 
have to stay is but short yet I hope in the time we may 
reach Maulden. We are at present very comfortably 
situated at this place having built ourselves huts, but 
yet I am perfectly willing to abandon mine and take 
upon myself the toils, fatigues and hardships of a win- 
ters campaign to accomplish the desired object, I think 
as much of my little family as any person but when our 
frontiers are so much exposed as they must unavoid- 
ably be, should this, little army retire to their homes as 
those have done at the other end of the Lake, it excites 
in my breast a real disposition to push forward on our 
expedition and accomplish it to the satisfaction, of this 
western country ; but we have our opposition party even 
in camp, but prudence keeps them within decent bounds, 
but their intentions can be judged by their conduct. 



96 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

It was pleasing inteligence to some to hear that the 
army at Black Rock, had retired to winter quarters, 
without accomplishing anything. 

I am exceeding anxious to hear what the prospect 
is respecting the demands against the United States, 
not only on my own account but on account of others, 
who are constantly inquiring of me, when these de- 
mands will be paid off, but I am not able to give them 
any ans [wer] that appears to be at all satisfactory, and 
I will esteem it a great favour from you Sir to give me 
some little information on that subject, while I remair 

Your Obt. Servt. 

Ensign Church. 

Genl. Elijah Wadsworth 
Canfield. 
Be so good as to inform our people of my health 
which is good my respects to Mrs. Wadsworth and the 
rest of the family, also to our friend Bostwick and fam- 

Lower Sandusky January 2nd 1813. 

Your letter of Dec. 24th and your Papers of the 
25th were received by Mr Way on the 31st I hope 
you will, be careful of your health, and consider it as 
of the first importance. Colds are common with us, but 
generally the Camp is as healthy as could be expected. 
The weather has been favorable, for our situation, untill 
yesterday — Last night it commenced snowing, and with- 
out intermission, has continued through the day, and 
is very Stormy to night and blustering. 

Major Frederick has commenced cutting the road 
from this to the Miami Rapids with a party of about 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 97 

Sixty men who he hired from the Troops, having under- 
took to cut the road by the Job. 

A' o news to write. Uncertain when we move west- 
ward. It must depend on circumtsances. L)o not fail 
to write every week. I shall be very anxious to hear 
from you as frequently as, opportunities shall present, 
But do, not do anything that shall in the least expose, 
your constitution Thank Mr. Mygatt for his favors, 
they were gratefully received and shall be answered. 
To Mr. Boughton present my compliments and inform 
him that I shall not be able to comply with his request 
at present. Mr. Patch I hope will not fail to write. 
To all give my Love — Tell the children they are not out 
of my mind, and that I hope to return and receive a 
favorable account of their good conduct. 

Yours affectionate Husband 

E. Whittlesey. 
Mrs. P. Whittlesey. 

Dear Sir 

I wrote you on the 6th inst. and mentioned that I 
had ordered a store house built four miles up this river 
from this place at the intersection of the Miami and 
Sandusky roads for the purpose of depositing the pro- 
visions intended for the Rapids but fearing I may not 
know your intentions in the regard to the provisions in- 
tended for this place please to inform me if I do right 
to deposit at that place all that is not required for to be 
spared here. This will make a saving of eight miles in 
the carriage of the provisions intended for Michigan. 
The road to the Rapids is so far progressed as to admit 
of waggons about eight or ten miles and the men are 
now at work ; I have this day twenty five axes arrived in 



98 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

camp that had been sent abroad to be repaired, these 
axes will be immediately ground and with them and 
those now on the road I think a sled road may be cut as 
fast as the teams would travel 

In hopes to hear from you soon I am Sir most Re- 
spectfully verry Humble Servt 

Simon Perkins. 

Gen. Harrison 
Lower Sandusky 
Jany 7th 1813 

We are much in want of blankets. Some 
men without any, and others with poor 
ones. 



Lower Sandusky Jany 10, 1813 

His Excellency R. J. Meigs Esquire 

Sip The inclosed is a duplicate of a contract 
made with Major Frederick for opening the road to 
Miami, It was at first contemplated to have the work 
done by fatigue parties detached, but having but few 
axes that was suitable for the purpose and a small pro- 
portion of the men who are qualifyed for laborers of that 
kind at this season of the year, I have thought that the 
money appropriated by government would be better ap- 
plied by making a contract with a man who may if nec- 
essary compleat it in the Spring. The road is now cut 
about half the way and if it should be soon necessary 
to make use of it may be opened as fast as sleds can 
travel. If any advice should be given by you on the 
subject of the road it shall be attended to. 

Nothing of importance has occurred of late and pre- 
suming you have frequent communications with Genl. 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 99 

Harrison it may render less instructing my information 
at this time, from Sir your most Humble Servant 

Simon Perkins. 



Camp about 2 miles below 

COLD B Fort 21st Jan 1813 
Dear Sir 

Sir I find it impossible to go on with the baggage 
M. Stores &c on the ice as the best shod oxen in con- 
sequence of their pulling off from each other, slip and 
cork themselves, and those that are poorly shod by the 
same means throw themselves. I have taken what is 
called Hulls road and encamped, under the circum- 
stances attending my case, I have thought advisable to 
send Mr. Beach the bearer of this for all the remainder 
of unshod cattle with directions for them to repair im- 
mediately to camp supposing the river below our late 
encampment much the same as those we took in the un- 
shod cattle as it would prevent 

their coming on possibly if your orders was waited for — 
we have not sufficient strength without them — Very 
Respectfully 

Yours &c 

W. W. Cotgreave Maj. 

Camp West Side Miami 21st Jan 1813 
Dear Genl 

Sir Our march yesterday was greatly procrasti- 
nated, for want of proper attention in a Mr. Beach who 
is termed waggon master — Our men however with cheer - 
fullness, with the drag ropes of the peace of ordinance 
hitched themselves to one of the ox sleds and bawled on 



100 Correspondence Relating to War op 1812 

the Amunition and Baggage which was left in the roadi 
the Amunition I considered rather in a perilous situ- 
ation and could not think of leaving it behind. I hope 
you will approve of that which has been done. 

I send you by B a Canteen of high wines a 

cheese and some Candles — be pleased to accept a tender 
of my humble respects and believe me to be yours, in 
freedom. 

Fervincy and Zeal 
W. W. CoTGREAVE Maj 1st Batl. 

2 Regt. 2 Brig 

O. M. 
N. B. The men are anxious to get on. 

River at the Crossings of Hulls Road 

January 25th 1813 
My Dear Wife, 

I have risen, at what time in the night, I do not 
know, to, inform you of my health and safety. We 
came here on the evening of the 23rd after having re- 
treated from the Miami Rapids a distance of 15 miles 
from this. I wrote you sometime since and informed 
you that Gen Harrison was expected at Sandusky. 
He did not arrive, untill I think the 19th Inst, where he 
stayed but one day, on the evening, of which, an ex- 
press arrived informing him, that, an attack on the Brit- 
ish and Indians at the River Raisin, was meditated, for 
which purpose a force, of about I think, 750 strong had 
then marched. 

Gen Harrison did not think this move a judicious 
one when he first heard of it, but said, after stating his 
reasons why he considered it, as premature, "that Gen. 
Winchester was where he could obtain, the best infor- 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 101 

mation as to the force he had to oppose, and that at all 
events he would render him every assistance that lay in 
his power but feared that the information was communi- 
cated too late not but that lie thought, that the place 
could be carried but, doubted, whether it could be held 
under existing circumstances." On the morning of the 
21st which was Tuesday Generals Harrison and Perkins 
set off for Miami Rapids, after having ordered Col. An- 
drews to march, his Regiment, which would, with their 
baggage, within two hours after the order was given 
Major Cotgreave, marched his Batallions on iSIonday 
by an order, from Gen Perkins issued, on the 19th be- 
fore Gen. Harrison's arrival, in consequence of a let- 
ter received from Gen. Winchester, Gen. Harrison did 
not arrive at Miami R. untill Wednesday Morning. Cot- 
greaves Battallions some time on Wednesday. An- 
drews, Regt. on Thursday. I set out with Captain 
Stidger on Wednesday night and arrived at the Rapids 
on Thursday night. On Tuesday afternoon possession 
was taken of the Raisin Rapids with a loss of only thir- 
teen men on our side and some say from thirty to fifty 
Indians on the side of the British By a detachment 
under command of Col Lewis from Gen Winchesters 
Brigade The battle was bravely fought by the Amer- 
icans, they marched against, a well directed fire of Mus- 
ketry, one piece of Artillery and, savage bravery who 
after having been so frequently and recently flushed 
with victory, fight, with great assurance of over coming. 
Possession was once more taken of the River Raisin, 
Settlement and part of our lost territory regained. Gen 
Winchester was not in the engagement, but was on his 
march ^vith a reinforcement, from the Miami Rapids. 
All was joy and gladness with both Officers and Sol- 
diers. There were all the conveniences and luxuries of 



102 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

an old settlement, cider and Apples in abundance and 
to a soldier, who has been out four or five months, in an 
Indian Campaign, the sight of a woman is not the most 
uncomely object that can be conceived of. They rested 
in a state of too great security without reflecting that at 
this season of the year it would require as great force to, 
hold Raisin, as it would Detroit. The Officers, had 
many of them taken private lodgings and the Soldiers, 
were generally encamped in Gardens and in a situation, 
not easy disposed of to oppose the enemy. On Friday 
morning, at day break, they were attacked by a force 
of British and Indians, with at least three field pieces. 
The accounts are various as to the number of the enemy, 
some say there were Sixteen hundred others, who were 
also in the engagement, say there were three thousand. 
The Slaughter was great and our force entirely cut to 
pieces. Our first accounts were that they were all mas- 
sacred. It is not now generally believed that more than 
one half are killed. It is said that those who gave them- 
selves up and did not attempt to make an escape were 
taken prisoners. Earley on Friday Gen Harrison was 
informed that the attack would probably commence. 
He immediately ordered Three Battallions of Virginia 
and Kentucky troops to march. At twelve O'clock Col. 
Andrews Regiment marched. Major Cotgreaves Bat- 
tallions had Marched on Thursday in the afternoon. 
About Two oclock all the troops were ordered back cer- 
tain information having been received that the enemy 
had gaind a complete victory. We returned to our 
encampment and orders were given for the men to rest 
thmselves. About Two oclock at night we commenced 
loading the Sleds, for a retreat — which was effected in 
good order. The men when ordered to March for Rais- 
in, were animated, much beyond my expectation. When 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 103 

they were ordered to recross the Miami and retreat they 
looked cast down and dejected. This is tlie third sad 
misfortune which has befallen this Comitry since the 
commencement of this war and on the eve when some- 
thing was expected from our armies. 1 am confident 
that if Gen. Winchester had not moved on from the 
Miami Rapids, that in the course of Ten Days there 
would have been more than five thousand men with a 
heavy train of Artillery. 

When we move forward again is somewhat uncer- 
tain the roads now are very bad. There was destroyed 
at the Miami Rapids 24000 lbs of Flour and between 
24 and 30,000 lbs of Pork and Salt. I would write you 
more lengthy but this is all the paper I could get. 

E. Whittlesey 

P. Whittlesey 

Since writing the above I have found a little more 
paper and as the messenger, is not quite ready to leave 
this for Lower Sandusky I will improve a moment more 
to write you, yesterday morning I could not help re- 
flecting how unlike home was my situation. The water 
had fallen in torrents during the night, and when we got 
up at day break it was at least three inches deep, in our 
tent, and would have averaged at least two inches over 
the whole encampment, a part of our clothing, of course 
was as wet as water could make them. There is no 
grounds convenient to this better adapted for an en- 
campment than the one we occupy. But with you it 
would be called a swamp. This morning it snows and 
the prospect before us not very cheering neither can I 
say it is very Gloomy. It is the prospect of a soldier, 
which I had anticipated. To bear it with fortitude is 
my determination. Do not be concerned about me I 



104 Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 

tell you the worse side of the story as you know I am 
not in the habit of withholding from you my situation 
even if it was perilous, but it is not we are as perfectly 
secure here as we should be at any place east of us. 



Head Quarters Portage River 15 miles 
FROM Miami Jany 28th 18 13 
Dear Sir. 

1 am now at the place of date to which the army 
marched on Saturday last from Miami. You will no 
doubt previous to the time when this will reach you have 
heard of the defeat of Gen Winchester at French Town 
(River Raisin) It will therefore be mmecessary for 
me to give you the few particulars which are known here 
in regard to it, I will however say as I know it to be cor- 
rect that Gen Winchesters movement to French Town 
was without the or advise of Gen. Harrison and 

although it will have a great effect upon the campaign 
and to defeat the great object intended to have been 
produced by it yet I think that the men now left and 
which can and will be easily assembled will be sufficient 
to give such an amount of themselves as will not be dis- 
graceful to themselves or the nation. It would be dif- 
ficult to conceive of a better arrangement of the troops 
than was made and making by Gen. Harrison at the 
time of the unfortunate movement of Gen. W. and had 
he not gone forward contrary to the wishes of Gen. Har- 
rison everything that had been expected of the enemy 
of the N W would have been realized. I can not ac- 
count for the conduct of Gen. W. on any other princi- 
ples than that he and some of his principle officers 
thought that the taking such an advanced part would 



Correspondence Relating to War of 1812 105 

be a popular thing in tlie eyes of the nation and that it 
would be an easy victory and relief from pillage and 
massacre the unfortunate inhabitants of that place and 
although it might be without orders, yet that ought not 
be sufficient to them. Now the victory was so 

easy, and the favor to be acquired so great this would 
perhaps all had been proper had they taken the neces- 
sary precautions and knew the strength of the enemy 
to have been inferior to their own but I fancy they were 
too much impressed with the opinion that Kentucky 

bravery could not fall before so a foe as 

Indians and Canadians and in that very hour done more 
injury than the same number of men can possibly repair. 

You may be surprised at my writing in this 

manner on the movement of a detachment of 
which I have no command and with whom I 
I have had no union, I have made the state- 
ment from motives of duty (and which however 
I deem correct) knowing that another use of 
the Militia is soon to be made and thinking it 
not improper that the true cause of the misfortune of 
that detachment should be known to you and as the 
chief of the militia of the state of 0[hio] are probably 
now about to order another detachment into the field. 
I have never been personally acquainted with Genl W 
or his officers but they are spoken of in the army as men 
of the first respectability and bravery. 

The brigade which I have had the honor to com- 
mand I fancy do themselves no dishonor and injury for 

this season of the year a good state of health. I 

am &c 

[Simon Perkins.] 
[To Gov. Meigs.] 



106 CORRESPONDENCK RELATING TO WaR OF 1812 

To Major General Wadsworth and the Officers Com- 
manding at Cleveland. 

Gentlemen 

We the undersigned being acquainted with the cir- 
cumstances of Mr. Gad Hearts family, do think it our 
duty to Petition for his Discharge for the following rea- 
sons. First, he has a family of nine children who are 
destitute of food and clothing 2nd his wife is sick, and 
without his daily Labor cannot subsist. 3rd that he has 
two sons in the army who have marched to Huron, and 
is now unable himself to do Military Duty. If you 
think it expedient to discharge him on the preceding 
reasons an esteemed favor will be confered on his dis- 
tressed family. 

Frdk. Kirtland 
josiah wolcott 

Lewis 
John Hopkins 
Lewis Wolcott 
EijHu Moses 
Lewis Smith 
Jaimes Wood 
Hendk. E. Paine 
Levi White 
R. B. Parkman 



Warren March 13, 1813. 
Dear Sir 

Since I wrote you last my Brigade have been dis- 
charged, and those who composed it, have mostly left 
the army, and returned to their families — When the 
Law of Ohio, offering to them a bounty, and calling on 
their patriotism to induce them to continue longer in the 



Correspondence Relating to War ok 1812 107 

service, was iirst received, it was tiiought that tiiey might 
be useful by a short tarry in addition to the time for 
which they were first called out, and the most of tlicm 
discovered no disposition to disax^oint the expectation 
of the Legislature, but as the time for which they were 
called out drew towards a close the weather was such as, 
to render impossible any advances, that might be use- 
ful, and appearances seem to justify the idea, that the 
force remaining, would be sufficient to hold the ground, 
that was then occupied, and the verry great solicitude, 
which farmers generally have at this season of the year 
to be at home, prevailed with the men of my Brigade and 
they were not urged to tarry beyond the time, which 
they calculated on, when they left home; and although 
we have done less than has been expected, we have the 
satisfaction to believe that so much is now done, that if 
the government will give to Gen. Harrison a reasonable 
no. of men for the next campaign that he will not then 
disappoint the most sanguine expectations of the na- 
tions. I am sir most respectfully your verry obedient 
friend and servant 
His Exy R. J. Meigs Esq. Simon Perkins. 

Canfield 7th May 1813 
Sib 

by Express from lower Sandusky, have received 
correct information that Genl. Harrison has been at- 
tacked at fourt Meigs by a large Body of British and 
Indians the mail has been taken and all communication 
cut off from the Country, in consiquence of this Infor- 
mation, have sent out orders for a draft of the Militia 
1 ,000 to march immediately for his assistance. 

Your Obedient Servt. 

Elijah Wads worth. 
His Excellency R. J. Meiffs. 



INDEX 

Adams, Mr 9i> 

Adjutant General, Ohio 39, 73 

Albany 55, 56, 57 

Andrews, Col 87, 101, 102 

Army, Condition of 34 

Contractors 41 

Of the Northwest, see Western Army. 

Supplies 34, 41, 69, 70, 74, 76, 79, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 92 

Auglaize River 33 

Aurora 46, 92 

Austin, Mr 87 

Seymore 47 

Ball, Maj 73 

Battle of the Peninsula 36 

Bay, Col 67, 68, 69 

Beach, Mr 99 

William 42 

Beall, Gen. Reasin 50, 58, 68, 70 

Beams Mills 69 

Beaver, Pa 51, 52, 92 

Benedict, C 47 

Bentley, A 52 

Biddle, Mr 87 

Bill, Gen 72 

Bissel, Mr 92 

Black Fork of Mohecan 69 

Black River, Ohio 47, 78, 79, 92 

Black Rock 96 

Block Houses, Directions for Building 58 

Erection of 65, 66, 67, 69 

Boardman 51 

Bonaparte, Napoleon 31 

Boston, Mass 54, 61 

Boston Centinel 61 

Bostwick, Mr 96 

Boughton, Mr 50, 97 

Bounties 43, lOG 

British Army 34, 37, 44, 45, 46 

Brooks, Mr 52 

Brown, Owen 48 

109 



HO Index 

Brownstown 91 gg 

Brush, Henry 4^ 

Bushnell, Mr 83 

Camp at Avery 79 

Camp at Vermillion River 78 

Camp Defiance . 64 68 

Canada 30, 31, 32, 45 

Conquest of 31 34 

Gov. of 48 

Invasion of io 

Canadians 40 1 Q5 

Canfield, Ohio .57^ 64, 81, 96, 107 

Carter, Lorenzo 45 47 43 go 

Cass, Gen .'.67' gg 

Chillicothe 37^ 41^ 43 

Citizens 43 

Militia 43 

Chippewa j^ 

Chittenden, Henry go 

Church, Lieut. Ensign 

39, 40, 55, 57, 63, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 87, 96 

Samuel 36^ 40, 57^ 64,8::i 

Clay, Henry 3 1 

Clear Fork of Mohecan 69 

Clendenin, David 74, 79, 88, 89 

Cleveland 44 45 47 

48, 50, 51, 52, 58, 60, 63, 64, 66, 71, 75, 77. 87, 90, 91^ 92 

Camp at 50 

Committee 45 48 

Committee of Safety 43 

Mills ". 92 

Clinton, DeWitt 40. Z)-, 

Clintonian 31 

Cloud, Mr 88 

Cobus, Mr g/5 

Coffin, Mrs. John C 40 

Cold B. Fort 99 

Collier, Capt 73 37 

Columbiana County 65 

Communication, Difficulty of 32, 41 

Method of 46 

Congress 09 

Connecticut 36, 53, 63. 80 

Gov. of 40 

Militia 39 

Contractor, Accounts of 48 



Index 111 

Cotgreave, Major W. W 77, 99, 100, 101 

Coulter, Mr ~>l 

Cuyahoga River 50 

Darrow, George 79, 85 

Dayton 32 

Dearborn, Gen. Henry 31, 40, 48, 56 

Declaration of War 39, 43, 55 

Defiance S3 

Detroit 

. .32, 34, 37, 44, 46, 48, 64, 71, 75, 81, 84, 90, 91, 92, 95, 102 

Surrender of 45 

Dexter, Mr 54 

Dillingham, Mr 57 

Dispatches 46 

Distances, Table of 92 

Doty, Maj 87 

Dover 92 

Duboise, Gen 73 

Dull, Capt 92 

Eliott, Maj 51 

Elliott, Wilson 44 

Erie, Pa 52, 85 

Evening Post, N. Y 51. 

Federalists 39, 42, 55, 56, 64 

Fitch, Chas. B 81 

Fleming, Mr 88 

Fort Dearborn (Chicago) 32 

Harrison 71 

McArthur 33 

Maiden, Surrender of 55 

Meigs 35, 107 

Wayne 71 

Frazer, Maj 70, 7 1 

Frederick, Maj 96, 98 

Frenchtown S^. 1^* 

Battle of 35 

Garret, Mr 92 

General Orders 38, 43, 45 

Gilbert, Augustus ^^ 

Godfrey, Mr 92 

Goodrich, Col ^^ 

Grand River *7, 59 

Great Britain 29, 31, 40 

Great Lakes *' 



112 Index 

Greentown S5 

Indians 69 

Greersburgh 46, Qi 

Griswold, Gov 81 

Gun Boat 71 

Hamilton, Lieut 78 

Hammett, Mrs 6i 

Hanchett, Hiram 45, 47 

Hanson & Wagner, Messrs 54 

Harrison, Gen. W. H 

33, 34, 36, 81, 84, 86, 87, 92, 95, 98, 99, 101. 102, 104, 107 
Harrison's Army, see Western Army. 

Hartford 55 

Hayes, Col 50 

Hays, John 83 

Hearts, Gad 106 

Henderson, D. C 45 

Henry, Capt 53 

Henryism 61 

Hillman, Mr 92 

Hoge, Henry 83 

Hopkins, John 1 06 

Horn, W., Adjt. Genl 39 

Hudson 47, 49, 57, 61. 

David 48, 49, 50 

River 31 

Hull, Gen. William 32, 41, 44, 46, 55, 56, 68, 74, 84, 90 

Estimate of Character of 63, 68 

Feeling Against 48 

Surrender of 32, S3, 35, 44, 45, 46 

Surrender of. Alarm Following 45, 46, 47 

Surrender, Effects of 33 

Hull's Army 48 

Huntington, Mr 95 

Huron. .44, 47, 48, 49, 50, 59, 64, 72, 75, 76, 83, 85, 88, 89, 92 

River 46, 47 

River, Head Quarters at 84 

Hutchins, Capt 70, 76 

Indians 34, 37, 40, 45, 

47. 56, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70, 71, 75, 76, 81,86, 91, 94, 100, 102, 107 

Attacks 29, 30, 32, 33, 37 

Confederacy SO 

Villages 93 

Wars S3, 34 

Ingersol, Wm 51 



Index IKS 

Inspection Returns 39 

Intelligencer 41 

James, John 85 

Jarome, Mr 66 

Jaromestown 65, 69 

Jefferson County 65 

Jefferson's School 29 

Johnston, Sargeant 76 

Jones, Samuel 45, 47 

Rev. W 66 

Kelley, A 45, 47 

Datus 45 

Kentucky Bravery ] 05 

Militia 31, 33, 102 

Kimpton, Judge 66 

Kingsbury 51 

Kingston 32 

Kinney's 65, 69 

Kirtland, Frederick 106 

Mr 92 

Kratzer, Col 70 

Lacy, Isaac J 45 

Lake Champlain 31 

Erie 32, 34, 39, 58, 91 

George 31 

Land Grants 43 

Lewis, Mr 1 06 

Col 101 

Reuben 63 

Liberty 92 

Litchfield 56 

Lower Sandusky 93, 96, 98, 103, 107 

Lusk, Capt i9 

McDanagh, John 52 

Mackinaw 52 

Madison, James 29, 37, 40 

Administration of 40, 55, 63 

Maiden 32, 34, 71, 75. 95 

Siege of 32 

Mansfield 58, 65, 67, 69, 70 

Marietta S7, i2 

Massachusetts 53, 54, 81 

Maumee River 33 

Swamp 95 



Ill Index 

Meigs, Gov. R. J 37, 41, 66, 69, 98, 105, 107 

Residence of ^'^ 

Miami 45, 46, 84, 86, 93, 97, 99, 103, lOi 

Rapids of 33, 73, 74, 92, 96, 100, 101, 10:5 

Of the Lake 90 

Swamp 91 

Michigan Territory 32, 33, 61, 63, 91, 97 

Miles, Mr 92 

Militia, Bill for Supplies for 83 

Draft of 107 

Embodiment 38 

Enlistment, Term of 34 

Equipment of 34, 42, 66, 71, 75 

Need of Clothing 68 

Ohio 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 42, 43, 49, 71 

Ohio, Pay of 43 

Dismissal of 49, 50, 59, 60 

Second Draft 67 

Supplies 41, 69, 70, 74, 76, 79, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 92 

Millers 50 

Mohecan Settlements 65 

Montreal 31, 32 

Moses, Elihu 106 

Mosher, Daniel 45 

Mulholland, Daniel 60 

Murray, Harvey 45 

Murry, Capt 65 

Muster Rolls 39 

Mygatt, Mr 97 

Napoleon Bonaparte 31 

Naval Warfare 41 

Navigation of Lake, Lake Ports in Hands of British 84 

Nelson 92 

New England, Attitude of. .29, 36, 39, 41, 53, 56, 63, 68, 80, 82 

New Philadelphia 68 

Newport 39 

Newspapers, Western Reserve 36 

Niagara 32, 94 

Nichols, Capt. Philo 64 

Nimmor, Capt 79 

Northern Confederacy 53 

Ohio 30, 43, 53 

Militia 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 42, 43, 49, 71 

River 39, 90 

Orders in Council 31 



Indkx 115 

Oviatt, Heman .07 

Owl Creek q,-> 

Paine, Hendk. E 106 

Gen 71^ 75 

Painesville 60 

Parker's Company 88 

Parkman, R. B 106 

Patch, Mr 97 

Pease, Gains 47, Ti 

Peninsula 75, 77 

Pennsylvania 52 

Militia 33, 91 

Perkins, Gen. Simon 36, 46, 47, 

50, 58, 72, 75, 76, 84, 87, 88, 90, 93, 98, 99, 101, 105, 107 

Perry, Nathan 45, 47 

Perry, O. H 34 

Victory, Effect of 34 

Phelps, Samuel W 60 

Piatt, Mr 41 

Capt 89 

Pipe Creek 87 

Pittsburg 46, 71, 73, 85, 88, 90, 92 

Poland 92 

Portage 48, 49, 72, 73, 7 i 

County 49 

River 104 

Presque Isle 85 

Queenstown 81 

Raisin Rapids 101 

River 34, 44, 61, 63, 84, 91, 92, 100, 101 

Battle of 101, 102, lOS 

Raynes, Mr 50, 92 

Read, Mr 92 

Riflemen 38 

Roads 74, 90, 91, 96, 98 

Robinson, Capt 87 

Rocky River 79, 92 

Sackett's Harbor 31 

St. Lawrence 41 

St. Marys 33 

Salisbury, Conn 39, 55, 63, 80 

Sandusky 36, 44, 69, 70, 74, 84, 87, 88, 91, 94, 97 

Bay 47, 86 

Rapids 90, 92 



116 Index 

Scott, Lieut 69 

Seneca Nation 94 

Shannon, J. R 52, 71 

Shearman, Dyer 45 

Sheffield 56 

Sheldon, Mr 92 

Sloane, Col 67 

Smith, John C 81 

Lewis 106 

SpaflFord, Maj 66 

Mr 92 

Sprague, Mr 88, 92 

Wm 76 

Steubenville 51 

Stigger, Capt 93 

Stidger, Capt 90, 93, 101 

Stockton, John 42 

Stoddard, Amos 71 

Maj 73, 74 

Sturges, Mr 92 

Sugar Creek 65, 69 

Tallmage 57 

Tanner, Lieut 76 

Tappen, Maj 51, 67 

Taylor, Gen 65, 69 

Mr 92 

Tecumseh 30 

Tod, Major 35 

Trumbull County 44 

Trump of Fame! 36, 41, 43, 44, 52, 53, 55, 62, 92 

Tupper, Samuel 85, 89 

Tuscarawas River 66 

Uniforms 42 

Union, The, Attitude of New England Towards. . .5S, 54, 61, 62 

United States, Uncertainty of as Debtor 52 

Troops 68 

Urbana 33, 42, 91 

Upper Sandusky 33, 89, 93, 94, 95 

Vermillion River 92 

Virginia Militia 33, 102, 105 

Wabash River 33, 71 

Valley 30, 33 



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RD-94 



Index 117 

Wadsworth, Gen. Elijah 35, 36, 37, 39, 44, 45, 46, 50, 

51, 52, 57, 59, 61, 68, 70, 71, 72, 75, 78, 79, 89, 96, 106, 107 

Division 35, 38 

Wallace, Mr 92 

War of 1812, Causes 29, 30 

Declaration of War 39, 43, 55 

New England's Attitude 29, 36, 39, 41, 63, 68, 80, 82 

Plan of Campaign 31, 37 

Preparation for 41 

Result 34 

Source, Material 35, 36 

Southern Attitude Towards 29, 40 

Volunteers 33, 37, 42 

Western Attitude Towards 29, 30, 41 

War-Hawks 29 

Warren 36, 44, 46, 51, 52, 81, 92, 106 

Way, Mr 48, 96 

Wayne, Gen 91 

Western Army 33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 41 

Contractor 41, 51 

Raising of 37 

Supplies for 51, 57, 65 

Western Reserve Historical Society 35, 36 

Tracts .' 35 

Western States, Attitude of 29, 30, 53 

White, Levi 106 

Whittlesey, Charles 2 

Elisha Papers 35 

Elisha 36, 51, 94, 97 

Mrs. Mary 51 

Mrs. Polly 94, 97, 103 

Williams, Col 69 

Sargeant 76 

Williamson, Sam 45 

Winchester, Gen 34, 95, 100, 101, 103, 104 

Defeat of 104 

Wolcott, Josiah 106 

Lewis 106 

Wood, James 1 06 

Wooster, Ohio 33, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69 

Wright, Mr 82 

Wyandotte Tribe 93 

Yankee 55 

Youngstown 92 

Zanesville 74 



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